HomeFootball NewsFC Porto vs Arsenal: Preview, expected line-ups, how to watch and prediction

FC Porto vs Arsenal: Preview, expected line-ups, how to watch and prediction

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The State of Play

FC Porto are under quite a lot of pressure with performances being really underwhelming throughout the campaign. That has continued in recent weeks as a 3-2 loss to Arouca effectively knocked them out of the title race before a really underwhelming 2-0 defeat of Estrela da Amadora at the weekend with goals coming in either half from Galeno and Joao Mario.

Unlike FC Porto, Arsenal have been in magnificent form with Mikel Arteta’s men really finding their stride in 2024 and coming into this one on the back of some excellent form. They thrashed Burnley by five goals to nil at Turf Moor last weekend, making it five successive victories in the Premier League and they have scored 21 goals in those five matches, launching themselves back into the title race.

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Team News

Sergio Conceicao is just dealing with a few injury concerns for this week with a couple of players, such as Joao Mario and Galeno, a booking away from suspension. Ivan Marcano remains out with an ACL injury, whilst Gabriel Veron is a doubt for The Dragons. Zaidu Sanusi was stretchered off against Estrela on Saturday, too. Key forward Mehdi Taremi is also expected to be unavailable due to injury.

Mikel Arteta will continue to be without Ghanaian international midfielder Thomas Partey as well as former FC Porto man Fabio Vieira due to injury. The likes of Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus are all big doubts.

Expected Line-ups

FC Porto: Diogo Costa; Joao Mario, Pepe, Otavio, Wendell; Alan Varela, Nico Gonzalez; Conceicao, Pepe, Galeno; Evanilson

Arsenal: David Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

What they Said

Sergio Conceicao has asked for a better atmosphere at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday evening, saying “I have talked many times about our fans, but I hope the public realises that this team is young and needs the fans and union.”

Mikel Arteta, ironically, also discussed the atmosphere in Portugal and talked of how FC Porto fans ‘create a special atmosphere’ and that is something his Arsenal side will have to be aware of.

When and How to Watch

This match will be played at the Estadio do Dragao at 20:00 on Wednesday February 21st and will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK. The game can also be streamed via the TNT Sports app in the UK, too.

Prediction

It is an under fire, underperforming FC Porto side with their manager, once again, being critical of their own supporters coming up against an Arsenal side that have begun the calendar year exceptionally well. Quite simply, given the way FC Porto are playing, if Arsenal turn up on Saturday evening and play to nearly half their potential then they will win and, given the form they are in, they should wipe the floor with their Portuguese position if they match their current performance level.

Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher
Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.

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