Porto vs Juventus Betting Preview

Date & time: Wednesday, February 22, 7:45 PM GMT

Venue: Estadio Do Dragao (Porto)

Head to head record

Juventus vs Porto 3-1 (2001/2002 Champions League)
Porto vs Juventus 0-0 (2001/2002 Champions League)

Porto vs Juventus prediction

Porto and Juventus face each other at Estadio Do Dragao in the Champions League last 16, first leg. Seeing that both teams have been in a splendid form of late, a lively contest appears on the cards, but it remains to be seen who will emerge triumphant in the upcoming double-header.

Thrilling win over Leicester City

Porto were struggling to find their best form in the group stages of the Champions League, but thanks to the 5-0 triumph over Leicester City, the Portuguese outfit set up a meeting with Juventus in the last 16. The Dragons will have to be at their sharpest in the two-legged tie against the Italian giants if they are to advance to the quarter-finals of the elite competition, but beating the Bianconeri is easier said than done. Porto are on a five-match winning run in the national championship ahead of the visit of Juventus and it has to be noted that January signing Tiquinho has been scoring goals for fun of late. The former Guimaraes man has already started paying off and he is likely to prove a handful for the opposition defenders. Over the years the Dragons have turned their Estadio Do Dragao into a real fortress and you should bear in mind that they suffered only one loss in previous 14 home games in the Champions League.

Coach Nuno has no fresh injury worries ahead of the visit of Juventus, but the likes of Andre Silva and Felipe are a booking away from suspension. The Portuguese tactician is likely to stick to the 4-1-3-2 formation.

Juve on top of their game

Two seasons ago Juventus did remarkably well to make it to the Champions League final. Many people expected that Paul Pogba would lead the Bianconeri to their third European Cup, but Leo Messi and Co. eventually won the silverware. Juve are on the right track to defend their Serie A trophy, but they want to go all the way in the Champions League knockout stages as well. Max Allegri’s troops are high on confidence ahead of the trip to Portugal as they are on a seven-game winning run in all competitions. Summer signing Gonzalo Higuain has been impressive in front of goal of late and the former Napoli forward is likely to pose a big threat for the opposition back-line. Juventus have yet to suffer a loss in the Champions League this season and that is giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of Wednesday’s showdown.

Leonardo Bonucci could be left out of the squad after being involved in a bust up with coach Max Allegri. Fellow defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli are both rated doubtful, but the duo should recover in time to face Porto.

Interesting facts

• Porto are eyeing their fourth straight clean sheet in the Champions League
• Juve are on an eight-game unbeaten run in the elite competition
• Dragons are after their first ever win over Juventus in a competitive match
• Bianconeri emerged triumphant in each of their last three away games in CL
• Porto found the net in 13 of their last 14 home games in the elite competition

Porto vs Juventus betting pick

Juventus are superior to Porto at the moment, but considering that Estadio Do Dragao will host Wednesday’s Champions League clash, I believe that fans will see a close encounter in the first leg. The two teams are likely to play out a draw in Portugal, but given their attacking potentials, both teams to score bet should be considered.

Pick: Both teams to score

Odds: 1/1