Liverpool v Porto betting tips: Portuguese could cause upset
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Liverpool v Porto betting tips and odds
Liverpool host Portuguese leaders Porto on Wednesday night safe in the knowledge they have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League as group winners thanks to a perfect four wins.
The Reds warmed up for this game with a thumping win against Arsenal at the weekend but most of the players that contributed to that 4-0 victory are expected to be rested at Anfield, especially with injuries biting hard.
The six-time European champions are 20/23 to win a fifth successive group match but let’s consider some of the other options in our Liverpool v Porto betting tips.
Match Odds
Mo Salah and substitute Roberto Firmino scored doubles and Sadio Mane was also on target in a 5-1 win in Porto two months ago but the odds suggest Jurgen Klopp will make sweeping changes with top seeding in the bag.
The Reds have played Porto five times in the last three and a half years, winning four by an aggregate of 16-2, so the expectation is they will prevail at another canter.
But their last-16 victory en route to reaching the Champions League final in 2018 may provide a clue as to what may transpire on Wednesday.
Then, Liverpool won the first leg in Portugal 5-0 which allowed Klopp to rest the likes of Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson and the result was a goalless draw at Anfield.
Porto effectively had a free weekend, crushing Feirense 5-1 in the Portugues Cup with a fringe team, and they still have a great chance of qualifying, being a point clear of Atletico Madrid in second place.
Sergio Conceicao’s side are 27/10 to draw, 3/1 to win or 10/11 in the double chance market in our Liverpool v Porto betting tips.
At least one team not to score is 6/5, bearing in mind that was the case in both games at Anfield in 2018 and 2019.
Liverpool, though, have scored at least four times against Porto in four of their last six matches, so they can be backed at 17/5 to win and over 3.5 match goals.
However, the last two meetings between these teams on Merseyside produced just two goals between them so under 2.5 goals in the match should be considered at 11/10.
Talking Tactics
Diogo Jota is doubtful having gone off injured after a collision with Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, although he may not have played in this game in any case.
Firmino also remains sidelined, so Divock Origi is likely to lead the line if he has recovered from illness.
Takumi Minamino made an instant impact as a late substitute against Arsenal, scoring with his first touch, and the Japanese star is expected to be one of several changes with a tough game against Southampton on Saturday and the Merseyside derby to follow four days later.
Up next, @FCPorto 👊🔴 #LIVPOR pic.twitter.com/No3fxnk9FN
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 23, 2021
Jordan Henderson, Ibrahima Konate and Nat Phillips were also on a fairly inexperienced bench at the weekend so they are in the frame to face the Portuguese in the usual 4-3-3 formation.
Robertson was unavailable to face the Gunners after picking up a thigh injury on international duty with Scotland but is close to full fitness.
Former Red Marko Grujic could make his first return to Anfield since joining Porto on a permanent basis in the summer, and may start in the heart of midfield in a 4-3-3, with veteran defender Pepe accompanying Chancel Mbemba at the back.
Goalscorer Odds
Of Wednesday’s likely starters, Origi and Minamino are 11/2 to break the deadlock or 2/1 and 21/20 respectively to score in our Liverpool v Porto betting tips.
Rookie Tyler Morton is 16/1 and 11/2 in the two markets and Henderson is available at 25/1 and 17/2 having scored against Milan two months ago and Brighton at the end of October.
Luis Diaz is the top scorer in the Portuguese top flight with nine goals and found the net in both games against AC Milan.
The Colombian can be backed at 5/1 and 15/8, the same price as Mehdi Taremi, who bagged Porto’s only goal in the 5-1 defeat by Liverpool in the group stage.
Match Info
Where: Anfield
When: 20:00, Wednesday 24th November
How to watch: BT Sport
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
