Porto v Leicester: Hosts’ need to win spells trouble for Foxes
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When the Champions League draw came out, Leicester probably pencilled their trip to Porto as the toughest of the lot. But handily the Foxes have done so well to qualify in top spot already that they have nothing riding on this game, while it means everything to the hosts.
Porto sit two points above FC Copenhagen in the race for second place in Group G, but with the Danish side facing Club Brugge – who they walloped 4-0 last time they met – the Portuguese giants know that in reality, they must beat Claudio Ranieri’s men.
The bookies odds of 3/10 suggest Azuis e Brancos will do just that, with the reigning Premier League champions out at 9/1 despite their incredible run in Europe this year.
The only thing riding on this game for Leicester – perhaps more importantly than three points – is form.
A 2-1 loss away at Sunderland last weekend left the Foxes winless in five league games and just two points above the relegation zone.
The Champions League has provided welcome relief, but things are rather gloomy in Leicester right now.
But ultimately, this game is a dead rubber for them, and plenty will see value in Porto -1 at 10/11 having scored in every home game this season, or the Porto/Porto Half-Time/Full-Time at the same price.
Andre Silva leads the first goalscorer betting at 11/4, having netted 10 times already this season.
Islam Slimani and Jamie Vardy lead Leicester’s charge for the first goal at 10s apiece.
Riyad Mahrez has enjoyed better success in Europe than domestic this year, and the Algerian could well be worth a punt at 19/5 anytime for a fifth goal of the group stage.
On paper this game means little for the Foxes, but if they can go to Estadio do Dragao and produce a performance – if not a result – then it could crucially inspire them to end their woeful Premier League run before a real relegation battle ensues.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
