The Portistas host their English counterparts at Estadio do Dragao today, with Bettor.com analyzing the battles that could possibly determine the outcome of the game.
Hulk vs. Vincent Kompany
Brazilian striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kawasaki-Frontale-c39683 man is arguably one of the finest players in Europe and has proved his predatory instincts in the last couple of
seasons.
Currently leading the Porto scoring charts, Hulk has 12 goals to his name and can prove to be unplayable on his day.
Faced with the ominous task of stopping the Selecao star from getting on the score sheet is City skipper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vincent-Kompany-c36184. The Belgian has stepped up to the plate this term with a string of dominant performances and is now mentioned in the same breath as
the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/John-Terry-c18895.
Having forged a solid partnership with Jolean Lescott at the heart of the backline, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kolo-c21278 Toure from the African Cup of Nations.
Joao Moutinho vs. Yaya Toure
What Joao Moutinho is to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186, Yaya Toure is to Manchester City. Both the midfielders play influential roles in their respective teams and are almost given starters in every game.
Portuguese International Moutinho has been in ominous form this campaign and has rarely been given a day off, such is his importance. The former Sporting Lisbon man has been relishing his game in the last couple of fixtures, mostly due to the return of ex-partner
in crime Lucho Gonzalez.
If the Seleccao pass-master has his way at the Dragao, it will surely tip the match in favour of the home side. However City are not helpless and pay Yaya Toure nearly €250,000-a-week to ensure that the club's opponents do not get comfortable in the centre
of the pitch.
The Ivorian has been sorely missed by the Citizens' side in recent weeks, as they have been without a true ball winner in midfield. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 man, but it’s high time that Toure returns to the
starting line-up.
An intriguing battle to say the least, it is more than likely that the 90 minutes are going to be a tense affair but the side with the more competent midfield is likely to come out on top.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-c10409 Silva
A clash of perhaps the most skilled player in the English Premier League against a defender, who oozes quality in nearly every outing.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Silva-c10601’s displays have been integral to City’s success this season and it is mostly due to the Spaniard’s assists that they find themselves ahead of Manchester United in the title race.
Silva, who was at his best during the opening few months of the campaign, has been off-colour in recent weeks but is more than a handful for any opponent. To simply put it, if he is allowed even an inch of space and time, he will make sure that it is exploited
to the brim.
Luckily for Porto, they have one of the world’s best left-backs at their disposal in order to deal with the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 man. Alvaro Pereira can be genuine threat in attack as well but this time around, he should channel his energies into consolidating
the backline rather than going forward.
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