POT VS LIV UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL MATCH PREDICTION- TEAM NEWS

Liverpool vs Porto

UEFA Champions League

LIV VS PORTO MATCH PREVIEW:

With Liverpool carrying an unassailable-looking 5-0 score-line from the first leg to Anfield, Jurgen Klopp has a golden opportunity to rest some of his key players ahead of the mouthwatering clash against Manchester United on Saturday.

For Porto and their manager Sergio Conceicao, it’s more of a face-saving job rather than going full Monty at Anfield. Also, no team in the history of this competition has managed to overturn a 5-0 deficit from the first leg. So keeping the rampant Reds to a draw or coming away with a close hard-fought win, will go a long way in restoring some pride for the 2004 Champions League winner.

History is also against Porto side as they haven’t tasted a victory on English shores in 18 previous attempts.

MATCH DETAILS:

When: March 7th, 1:15 AM IST

Where: Anfield, Liverpool

Recent wins (Last six matches)

Liverpool – W D W W W W

Porto– W L W W W W

LIV VS POT TEAM NEWS:

Liverpool:

Though the tie is technically not over, Klopp may opt for some tweaks in the starting XI to keep some of his best players fit and fresh for the clash against the Red Devils.

But the Reds will certainly be without the services of midfielder Georginio WIjnaldum and young forward Ben Woodburn, who are both nursing injuries. First-choice right-back Nathaniel Clyne is back in training but it is too early to include him in the match-day squad. Emre Can will also be available for the selection after missing the 1st leg through suspension.

Other than Clyne, there are no fresh injury concerns for Klopp and his staff.

PROBABLE XI

Mignolet (GK), Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk; Henderson, Can, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane

Porto:

Porto will be without the services of some first team players in this match with defender Alex Telles and midfielder Danilo Pereira missing the trip to Anfield.

But they are boosted by the return to fitness of 26-goal top scorer Vincent Aboubakar.

PROBABLE XI

Sa (GK), Ricardo, Marcano, Reyes, Maxi; Herrera, Sergio, Otavio, Brahimi, Paciencia; Aboubakar.

Competition History-

Liverpool-  5 Titles, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005

Porto- 2 Titles, 1987, 2004

Head 2 Head- 5 meetings in official matches

Liverpool- 3 wins

Porto- 0 wins

Draw- 2

Key Players:

Liverpool – Salah, Mane, Firmino

Porto – Herrera, Aboubakar, Brahimi

Some key stats:

1. With 28 goals in the last 7 games, Liverpool are the top-scorers in this season’s UEFA Champions League.
2. Porto have lost their last four games in the knockout phase of the Champions League.
3. Liverpool, along with Barcelona and Tottenham, are one of the three unbeaten teams in UEFA Champions League this season.
4. James Milner has provided six assists in the 2017-18 Champions League season, most amongst any player.

INDIA FANTASY PREDICTION:

Liverpool should see out the tie comfortably unless Klopp decides to field an academy team. Though we are backing Porto to give the home team much more fight considering their star-striker Vincent Aboubakar has been declared fit to play. So a tough evening for Reds’ backline. That’s the least we can expect from the visiting team.

NOTE: THIS LIV VS POT MATCH PREVIEW IS BASED ON OUR RESEARCH AND UNDERSTANDING FROM VARIOUS NEWS SOURCES. YOU CAN SELECT YOUR OWN PLAYING 11 ON THE BASIS OF TEAM NEWS.