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Manchester United players celebrate winning the Carling Cup -
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THURSDAY (NZT)
Porto v Manchester United (kick off 6.45am - The Estadio do
Dragao's)
Champions League quarter-final first leg - Manchester United 2,
Porto 2
For perhaps the first time in a long time Manchester United are heading into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on the back foot after Portuguese club Porto successfully managed to pull the wool over the current European Champions eyes in last weeks tie.
A defensively shoddy United managed to hold on for a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last week, just, and will be looking to regain the form that has seen many a fan and punter touting them as the side to grab an unprecedented five trophies in the 08/09 season.
But after a shocking few weeks - that all started after they were stunned 4-1 by Liverpool in the league - United have continued to struggle at the top of the League table, saved only by two late goals from teen sensation Federico Macheda in two successive games.
A supremely confident Porto, unbeaten in their previous 20 matches meanwhile, are flying and will be hoping that the history of never being defeated by Manchester United, or any English side for that matter, on their home turf will favour them in their hopes of becoming the first team other than a Spanish, English or Italian side to reach the semi-finals of the tournament since 2005.
Although their Premier League campaign has suffered somewhat of a stumble in the last few weeks, United are unbeaten in 22 Champions League ties and their shaky defence could be revived with the return of experienced defender and captain Rio Ferdinand whose groin strain saw him watch in agony (and not through pain of injury) in the stands during last weeks draw.
Ferdinand, if past fit, will team-up with Nemanja Vidic on the back-line, a partnership which United boss Alex Ferguson believes has been "the cornerstone of (their) great defensive performances."
United have also been handed somewhat of a favour as Porto boss Jesualdo Ferreira has been banned from the dugout during the game after UEFA found him guilty of making an abusive gesture towards that ref during his side's last-16 clash against Athletic Madrid.
This is the fourth time Porto and United have faced each other in the Champions League, with Porto enjoying the upper hand on two of the battles, the latest being in the 03/04 season, but if a disciplined United can harness the power of Porto's powerful forwards then they may be in with a sniff of a chance to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second consecutive year.
With the history at The Estadio it won't be easy for the Red Devils. I see penalties in this clash for which I'm picking United to pip Porto this encounter where they will next face Arsenal on the road to Rome.
Prediction: Tense battle that will be won on penalties
Arsenal v Villarreal (Kick off 6:45am at The Emirates)
Champions League quarter-final first leg - Villarreal 1,
Arsenal 1
An on fire Arsenal managed to bag a draw away to Villarreal in their Champions League quarter-final first leg tie and will be full of confidence going into to this final leg at the Emirates Stadium
In the complete reverse of United, after a less than impressive start to the season , Arsenal are putting the finishing touches to their injury ravaged season with all guns blazing and with a record 23 games unbeaten in the Champions League, they may feel that the hard work has already been done.
It is hard to see Arsenal messing up this one at home. They also of course have the advantage of Villarreal missing some of their key players, perhaps the most important being Marcos Senna, who scored to secure the goal for the home side last weeks tie, and limped off the pitch during the sides 2-0 loss to Malaga at the weekend.
The Primera Liga side is also missing Santi Cazorla, with wingers Cani and Mati Fernandez also in doubt - but still have the ace of former Arsenal man Robert Pires up their sleeve.
Like for so much of the current season, Arsenal themselves are running on a skeleton ship with injuries to Johan Djourou, Gael Clichy, William Gallas and goalkeeper Manuel Almunia - although there is great news for the Gunners as Adebayor and perhaps more importantly Robin van Persie will be adding their fresh legs and strength to the side after making just fleeting appearances in Arsenal's 4-1 win over Wigan at the weekend.
With not much to choose from in their previous encounter Arsenal will have to turn up the pace in order to reach the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time since they were defeated in the 2006 final by Barcelona.
With their current belief, their is no reason why the London side won't do it.
Prediction: Arsenal 2, Villarreal 0
