Porto to secure a draw

13Mar 2013

Bajnokok Ligája

Wednesday hosts the last ties of the Champions League round-of-16. Christian Crowther offers some Opta-infused tips...

Bayern Munich v Arsenal, Wednesday 19:45, Sky Sports 2

Bayern Munich have won all three of their home games in the competition this season (12 goals, three conceded)

The chances of Arsenal overcoming this deficit are about as remote as the Arctic Circle given their previous form when visiting Germany. Despite travelling there eight times in the Champions League, Arsene Wenger's side have only ever left the country with a solitary win. Moreover, the Gunners have lost their last two visits to the Bundesliga leaders, scoring just once and conceding four. Arsenal also represent the competition's lowest scorers at this stage.

Recommended Bet: Back Bayern Munich to win to nil @ 2.62

Bayern Munich have scored in each of their last 13 Champions League games, the last team to stop them from netting being Basel in February 2012

In stark contrast to their visitors, the free-scoring Bavarians have notched in every one of their last 13 Champions League games and boast no fewer than 10 different scorers in this season's tournament within their ranks. Bayern also represent the top scorers in the competition this season with 18 goals to date and they face an Arsenal side with the joint worst defensive record.

Malaga v Porto, Wednesday 19:45, Sky Sports 4

Porto are unbeaten in their last eight Champions League games against Spanish opposition (four wins, four draws); Real Madrid are the last Spanish side to beat Porto in Europe's premier competition, in October 2003

Malaga are hard to beat at home but Porto are no strangers to this stage of the competition and their experience should help them to negotiate this second-leg tie against the Champions League novices. Weighing massively in the Portuguese side's favour is the fact they didn't concede the killer away goal when they overcame the Spaniards a fortnight ago. Porto clearly relish an Iberian tussle too.

Recommended Bet: Back the draw @ 3.45

Malaga are the only team yet to concede a first-half goal in the Champions League this season

The onus will clearly be on Malaga to come flying out of the blocks and try to get themselves back in the tie early on. Malaga are not in great form domestically, but they will be concentrating all their efforts in front of their fans here. The Spaniards' last two goals have arrived inside the 20-minute mark, so taking a lead into the break is a real possibility for Manuel Pellegrini's men.