Porto value to sink Reds

MANCHESTER United take on Porto tonight knowing that nothing but their very best will be good enough to see them through to the semi-finals of the Champions’ League.

The bare facts of the first leg at Old Trafford show that Porto snatched a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw.

But anyone who watched that game will know that the Portuguese champions dominated for long periods and could have been 3-1 up by half-time.

The draw was no more than they deserved and an awesome home record in European and domestic football suggests United will need to perform a minor miracle if they are to go through tonight.

No English team has won in 12 trips to Porto, who have lost only two of their last 24 Champions League games on home soil.

Arsenal were beaten 2-0 in Portugal earlier in the competition, while Porto’s league form is strong, Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Estrela Amadora being their latest comfortable victory.

Of course, we have all watched United enough times to know it is dangerous to write them off.

But when you factor in the Reds’ recent indifferent form and the generous odds on Porto tonight, you really should side with the home team if having a bet.

Porto are a whacking 13-5 to win the game and 10-11 to qualify. Both prices represent excellent value.

If you are more inclined to keep the faith with United, for whom Rio Ferdinand returns to bolster a shaky defence, then you can get 6-5 about them winning tonight and 10-11 about them qualifying.

Arsenal have had their fair share of injury problems in recnt weeks, but they look set to reach the semi-finals at the expense of Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium.

Emanuel Adebayor scored a spectacular bicycle-kick equaliser in the 1-1 first-leg draw in Spain, a goal which gives the Gunners the definite advantage going into tonight’s game.

It could be close, but Arsenal should justify odds of 4-7 by winning a tense affair.

The Gunners are 100-30 ON to qualify, so the win in 90 minutes is clearly the more attractive betting proposition.

As for the competition as a whole, Barcelona are hot favourites at 13-8 after their dismantling of German champions Bayern Munich.

Chelsea, who squeezed through their goal-packed thriller against Liverpool, face the Catalans in the semi-finals and are 100-30 shots to lift the trophy.

Despite their tough mission tonight, United are third favourites at 9-2, while Arsenal are 11-2, Porto a generous-looking 14-1 and Villarreal the outsiders on 40-1.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Porto to win in 90 minutes tonight, 13-5 (Ladbrokes, Stan James), Porto to qualify for the semi-finals, 10-11 (general), Porto to win Champions League, 14-1 (general).