Porto and Liverpool start this Wednesday, February 14, for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2017/2018 European Champions League. In the Estádio do Dragão, in Porto, the confrontation has kick-off scheduled for 5:45 pm (Brasília time).
From this stage, the duels will be defined in round-trip matches. In case of equal number of points, goal balance and number of goals scored away from home can be used as tiebreaker criteria. The second match between Liverpool and Porto is scheduled for March 6 at Anfield Road.

Porto’s recent performance

The Portuguese ensured they survived the tournament by taking second place in Group G. They had 10 points (three wins, one draw and two losses). They were behind Besiktas (14) and outscored Leipzig (seven) and Monaco (two).
Although he is also involved in the Portuguese Cup title fight, Porto’s big goal is to overthrow Benfica’s hegemony, which has won the last four editions of the Portuguese Championship.
On Sunday, February 11, he thrashed Chavez away from home, 4-0, retaining the lead of the tournament. He now has 55 points (17 wins and four draws). They are two more than Benfica, vice-leader, and also in the comparison with Sporting, third place. In addition, made a match unless the rivals.
In this scenario, the Champions League can even be a problem. After all, it includes more appointments in Porto’s already tight schedule. The excessive number of games reflected in the greater movement of the medical department. They are in injury treatment and doubts for the game of this Wednesday defender Ivan Marcano (18 games in Portuguese Championship 2017/2018, two goals); the André socks (ten games, no goal) and Danilo Pereira (18 games, one goal); and strikers Vincent Aboubakar (21 games, 15 goals) and Chidera Ezeh (without performances).

The current form of Liverpool

Liverpool’s situation is different. Outside the Premier League and England and with no real chance of competing in the Premier League title, the Champions League is their highest priority in the final stretch of the season. The team was Group E champion with 12 points (three wins and three draws) beating Sevilla (nine), Spartak (six) and Maribor (three).
On Sunday, February 11, the Reds were able to defeat Southampton 2-0 at the rivals’ stadium. He reached 54 points (15 wins, nine draws and three losses). They reduced the disadvantage to two, compared to Manchester United, who was beaten by Newcastle (1-0). The City, in the tip, has 18 points more.
Coach Jurgen Klopp also has trouble climbing his team to face Porto. Defenders Joe Gomez (20 games in the 2017/2018 English Championship without a goal) and Ragnar Klavan (15 games, one goal) are handed over to the medical department. They depend on the conduct of new tests that will determine if they can become available.

History of the matches
The teams have met four times in European competitions and one has a friendly tournament. The first two in the knockout of the Europa League 2000/2001 edition. Liverpool got the better of them. 0 – 0 at home and advanced to make 2-0 at Anfield Road.
The third match took place in the Champions World Series in 2004. It was the only time Porto won the duel by scoring 1-0.
The most recent meetings took place in Group A of the Champions League 2007/2008 edition. In Portugal, there was a 1-1 draw. In England, the hosts made it 4-1.

Liverpool presented the second best offensive performance of the group stage of the Champions League. He rocked the opponents’ net in 23 chances, setting an average of almost four goals per game. Result of the system deployed by Klopp, which determines advanced marking, at the ball exit of the rival, and creation of plays at speed.
Porto did not get such an impressive mark, but it showed an efficient attack, with an average of more than two goals per game. At home, you must keep this line. However, the greater technical power of the English team indicates the victory of visitors as the best option for the game. It has a price of 2.37 on Bet365. Draw wins 3.60 and Portuguese success yields 3.10. Quotes were in effect at 10:18 AM on 12/2/2018.