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Featured Sport News

United to topple Porto

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 06/04/2009

By general consensus, Manchester United had luck on their side when the draw for the Champions League quarter-finals was held last month.

The reigning champions not only successfully avoided the three other Premier League clubs left in the hat, but having been paired against FC Porto, they also managed to dodge fellow European powerhouses Barcelona and Bayern Munich and are now sportsbook favourites.

Of the seven potential quarter-final opponents, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have, on paper at least, the easiest draw and what is widely regarded as something of a mismatch is clearly reflected in the odds.

United are as low as 2/5 on to progress to the last four, while the Portuguese champions have been installed as massive 15/2 outsiders.

The fact that the first leg will be at Old Trafford is not viewed as a problem as the Red Devils are expected to build a comfortable first-leg lead before heading to Portugal for the formality of a second leg.

United will certainly have revenge on their minds as the one and only time they have met in European competition ended with their ignominious exit from the 2003-04 Champions League.

Jose Mourinho and a host of now household names like Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Maniche may have moved on since their dramatic 2-1 last 16 second leg victory at Old Trafford five years ago.

Indeed the Porto side which arrives in Manchester this week will bare little resemblance to that golden generation which went on to be crowned champions of Europe.

However, the image of Mourinho dancing down the touchline celebrating Costinha's late winner still sticks in the craw of the United supporters.

Porto though cannot be completely written off as they finished ahead of Arsenal in the group stages and in six-goal Lisandro Lopez have one of the most dangerous strikers left in the competition.

The Gunners themselves are also facing Iberian opposition on Tuesday night in the shape of Villarreal.

The first leg is in Spain and the home side have been installed as narrow favourites for a last eight tie that is really tough to call.

Villarreal will be looking to avenge a semi-final defeat at the hands of the London club three years ago in their only other competitive meeting when Juan Roman Riquelme's last-minute penalty miss sent the Gunners into the Paris final against Barcelona.

What could decide this encounter is Villarreal's excellent home record - they are also unbeaten at the intimate El Madrigal Stadium in Europe this season - coupled with Arsenal's disappointing history in Spain, where they have won just two of six Champions League games.

Veteran French midfielder Robert Pires will also be hoping to prove a point after being offloaded two years ago after being deemed too old for a new contract by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

The 35-year-old is enjoying something of a career renaissance at Villarreal where he has recently been handed a new contract.

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