Porto vs Liverpool - Competition: UEFA Champions League
Date: 14 February 2018 - Kick-off Time: 19:45 GMT - 20:45 CET
Venue: Estadio Do Dragao, Porto
Date: 14 February 2018 - Kick-off Time: 19:45 GMT - 20:45 CET
Venue: Estadio Do Dragao, Porto
FC Porto team are flying high domestically this season. The
Dragoes are setting the pace in the Portuguese Liga, with a 2 points
advantage over Benfica despite they have a game in hand. They maintained
their fine form with a 4-0 win at Chaves over the weekend and have
dropped points on just four occasions this season. FC Porto have already
bagged 53 goals in 21 Primeira Liga matches. Furthermore, their defence
has been solid of late, conceding just two goals in their last seven
matches across all competitions. As to the UCL, Sergio
Conceiçao's men needed a 5-2 victory over AS Monaco in their final game to
book their spot in the knockout phase as Group G runners-up behind
Besiktas.
Sergio Conceicao is without the suspended Felipe while the likes of Ivan Marcano, Vincent Aboubakar, Danilo Pereira and Andre Andre are all doubtful. He may start his side in a 4-4-2 formation here, with Moussa Marega and Tiquinho Soares upfront. Yacine Brahimi and Jesus Corona will start out wide, while Oliveira and Hector Herrera will anchor the midfield. The like of Ricardo Pereira and Alex Telles will play as right and left back.
Sergio Conceicao is without the suspended Felipe while the likes of Ivan Marcano, Vincent Aboubakar, Danilo Pereira and Andre Andre are all doubtful. He may start his side in a 4-4-2 formation here, with Moussa Marega and Tiquinho Soares upfront. Yacine Brahimi and Jesus Corona will start out wide, while Oliveira and Hector Herrera will anchor the midfield. The like of Ricardo Pereira and Alex Telles will play as right and left back.
Liverpool team enter this clash on the back of a 2-0 away win at Southampton. Prior to that, they drew 2-2 at home against Tottenham and trashed 3-0 Huddersfield on the travel. The Reds now sit 3rd in the English Premier League, 2 points shy of 2nd placed Manchester United. As to the Champions League, Jurgen Klopp’s team was one of just four to emerge from the group stage without tasting defeat. They topped their group unbeaten with 3 wins and 3 draws to finish 3 points clear of Sevilla, with Maribor and Spartak Moscow eliminated. Away from home they drew 1-1 in Moscow, hammered Maribor 7-0 and then let a 3 goal lead slip in a 3-3 draw at Sevilla.
Jordan Henderson should come in for the suspended Emre Can, while Adam Lallana is getting close to a starting place after coming on for the last 10 minutes of the win at St Mary's. Joe Gomez is a doubt for the visitors, while Nathaniel Clyne is unlikely to feature. As a result, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will play as full back, with Joel Matip and Virgil Van Dijk expected to be paired at the heart of the back. The likes of Sadio Manè, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salh will continue to play up front, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke primary back-up options.
Probable lineups:
FC Porto: Jose Sa – R. Pereira, Reyes, Marcano, Telles – Corona, Herrera, Oliveira, Brahimi – Marega, Soares.
Liverpool: Karius – Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson – Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Wijnaldum – Salah, Firmino, Mane.
