Porto Faces Huge Road Test

Game: Liverpool F.C. vs FC Porto

Location: Anfield, Liverpool, England

Date/Time: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET

Liverpool vs Porto Betting Preview

Head to Head

FC Porto has never beaten Liverpool but this could be one of their better chances to pick up a win, as the Reds are already through to the knockout rounds. Back in September, Liverpool destroyed Porto 5-1 at the Estadio do Dragao. The trio of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino accounted for all five of Liverpool’s goals.

In their last two matches vs Porto, Liverpool haves scored nine goals and is 6-0-3 vs Porto all-time. Porto has only ever scored one goal at Anfield in four matches and have been an awful pick for betting online in this matchup.

Liverpool Can Go on Cruise Control

Liverpool responded brilliantly to their first defeat of the season with a commanding 4-0 win over Arsenal. The Reds relentlessly pressed the Gunners throughout the match, forcing errors all over the pitch and often capitalizing.

The Reds got their breakthrough on a 39th-minute header from Mane and dominated in the second half. Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares played a woefully errant pass and Liverpool pounced as Diogo Jota skillfully waltzed passed Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and put the ball in the net.

If not for Ramsdale’s heroics, Liverpool easily could have won by five or six goals as Salah and winger Takumi Minamino also got on the scoresheet. With qualification already assured, Liverpool’s Champions League matchup is somewhat low on the priority list.

That could mean Klopp puts out an unorthodox lineup, resting players who have knocks and giving some underutilized players some playing time. Firmino and Andy Robertson missed the match with Arsenal and it’s unlikely either will suit up. We could see Minamino get a big opportunity here after scoring vs Arsenal less than a minute after coming on.

Liverpool is one of the most popular soccer picks to win the UCL and Klopp, having won before, will most likely exercise sound man-management. Averaging over three goals per game and boasting two wins over La Liga defending champion Atletico Madrid, Liverpool can create chances no matter who’s on the pitch.

Porto Out for Revenge

Like Liverpool, FC Porto is also coming off of a big win. Porto won 5-1 in the fourth round of the Portuguese Cup over Feirense and was able to rest some of its key players in the second half.

Porto’s only loss this season, in all competitions, remains the 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool. At the very least, it’ll be interesting to see if they can put it behind them and get their first-ever win at Anfield.

Don’t forget that Porto has made the knockout stage in its last four Champions League group stage appearances and id merely points away from another Round of 16. Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi was the lone Porto player on the scoresheet last time out vs Liverpool and he is usually expected to shoulder the goal-scoring burden.

This season, though, winger Luis Diaz has emerged as a legitimate threat and could be a handful for the Reds. If Porto can survive Liverpool’s press, they have what it takes to make this a competitive match.

Liverpool vs Porto Prediction

The sportsbook goal total went from 2½ to three. Even with an injury-laden squad, Liverpool is a threat to score three goals in a half, let alone in a match.

I do also think Porto will get on the scoresheet again, as Liverpool figure to shake up their back line. That should mean the over hits.

Pick: Over 3 Goals (+115)