Porto vs Arsenal Champions League round of 16 first leg preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, possible line-ups

Porto and Arsenal meet in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg on Wednesday 21 February.

Where to watch Porto vs Arsenal on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.

What do you need to know?

Group B winners in the autumn and very much in contention in the Premier League, Arsenal have cause for confidence as they travel to Porto. Sérgio Conceição's side will also quietly fancy their chances, though; they finished level on points with Barcelona in the group stage and are unbeaten at home against Arsenal (W2 D1).

This match will bring together the top assist providers in this season's Champions League; Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Porto's Galeno have both laid on four goal each. Saka has also scored three, while Galeno has hit four.

Possible line-ups

Porto: Diogo Costa; João Mário, Pepe, Otávio, Wendell; Varela, Nico González; Galeno, Pepê, Francisco Conceição; Evanilson
Misses next match if booked: Fábio Cardoso, Pepê, João Mário

Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Ødegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Misses next match if booked: None

Squad changes

Porto
In: Zé Pedro, Otávio
Out: David Carmo, Fran Navarro

Arsenal
In: Jurriën Timber
Out: Miguel Azeez, Lino Sousa, Khayon Edwards, Bradley Ibrahim, Zane Monlouis, Charles Sagoe Jr

Form guide

Porto
Form: WLDWWW
Most recent result: Porto 2-0 Estrela, 17/02, Portuguese Primeira Liga
Portuguese Primeira Liga table

Arsenal
Form: WWWWWL
Most recent result: Burnley 0-5 Arsenal, 17/02, English Premier League
English Premier League table

Expert predictions

Nuno Tavares, Porto reporter
Porto booked their place in the last 16 with an impressive 5-3 home win against Shakhtar Donetsk on Matchday 6 but lost 2-0 at Sporting CP just five days later with the Dragons sitting only third in the Portuguese Liga.

Sérgio Conceição's side won seven of their ten matches in all competitions since then, with Evanilson scoring eight goals during that spell. With Mehdi Taremi back from international duty and only Marcano and Zaidu sidelined, Porto are more than capable of upsetting their illustrious English opposition.

Joe Terry, Arsenal reporter
During their last stint in the Champions League, Arsenal managed to qualify from their group but fell at the first hurdle for seven consecutive campaigns. Recent domestic form, however, suggests they have clicked into gear just at the right time ahead of the round of 16, so the signs are encouraging that the Gunners will manage to achieve something they haven't done since 2009/10 and make it to the quarter-finals. In a twist of symmetry, their opponents in the last-16 back then were also Porto.

What the coaches say

Sérgio Conceição, Porto coach: "Arsenal have players with great technique and talent, but we also have quality. They are a team who enjoy a lot of possession and know how to perform in the final third, and they will be very different to any side we face domestically. We have to be very competent in each phase of the match if we want to compete."

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager: "I've been really impressed by Porto. I know the manager really well, and their history. They have quality across the pitch and will be really tough opponents. We have earned the right to be here. We haven't been here [in the last 16] for seven years and haven't got to the next stage for 14. That's the challenge. We are excited and will go for it with full belief."

Where is the 2024 Champions League final?

©Getty Images

The best of the best will be crowned on the ultimate stage when the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League season concludes at London's prestigious Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1 June.