Man United host a Porto side who hate travelling to the UK

Manchester United/Porto, 7.45pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

Manchester United have been granted the best draw they could have asked for in their quest to retain the Champions League but recent defensive frailties threaten to end their run of seven straight clean sheets in two-legged European ties. However, Porto’s dreadful record in the UK means that an upset (9/1 with Ladbrokes) remains incredibly unlikely:

HOME ADVANTAGE
Manchester United’s domestic invincibility may have worn off but there are some pretty significant stats which make them the team to fear in Europe. The holders haven’t lost a Champions League home game since February 2005 and are unbeaten in 21 games in total in the competition. However, while they won all six of their European games at Old Trafford last season, they haven’t been quite as convincing this season. They beat Celtic (3-0) and Inter (2-0) but they failed to find a way past potential quarter-final opponents Villarreal (0-0) or the fifth-best team in Denmark, Aalborg (2-2).

PORTO STRUGGLE IN BRITAIN
FC Porto haven’t won any of their last twelve away games in the UK, with the extent of their struggles shown by their 3-1 loss to Welsh side Barry Town in 2001. Over the course of those twelve winless games they have drawn just once, with that point coming at Old Trafford when Jose Mourinho was in charge of their successful 2003-04 campaign. They have got even worse since the Special One left though, losing all six of their last trips to the UK. They have conceded four goals on each of their last two visits.

FORM AND MOMENTUM
While Manchester United have won just one of their last three games, by the skin of their teeth, Porto are unbeaten in 24 games in the Portuguese Liga, Taca de Portugal and Champions League, with their last defeat in one of those competitions coming on November 1. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, by contrast, have lost four games over that period.

HOME AND AWAY
Since the Champions League adopted its current format, Porto have won just one of their nine away knockout games (excluding qualifiers). In contrast, Manchester United have won each of their last seven knockout clashes at Old Trafford, with big names like Roma, AC Milan, Lyon, Barcelona and Inter Milan all cast aside with relative ease. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side haven’t conceded a goal in their last four, winning three 1-0 and one 2-0.

Posted: April 7th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn |