Against All Odds 
/ Paul Robinson / 16 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Manchester City travel to Portugal this evening for a first leg clash against FC Porto in the Europa League. It's expected to be a tight affair but Paul Robinson thinks that both goalkeepers will be kept very busy.
Porto find themselves in this competition after a disappointing Champions League campaign which saw them pick up only eight points from a group that consisted of Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg and APOEL Nicosia.
The main problem was that they dropped too many points at home as their results at Estádio do Dragão were; 2-1, 1-1, 0-0.
Domestically, the Dragons lie second in the Primeira Liga with 43 points from 18 matches, which is five points less than table toppers, Benfica. While goals were hard to come by in Europe, Vítor Pereira's men have been free scoring in the league and they have notched 42 already this year, so I am willing to put their Champions League bluntness down to a blip, especially when they have the likes of James Rodriguez and the incredible Hulk in the team.
Manchester City also bowed out of the Champions League in the group phase and as it was their debut season in the competition, coupled with the fact that they had a tough draw, I can overlook their poor European displays and assume that they will improve from now on.
In terms of goals, three out of their six fixtures went Over 2.5 Goals, including two out of three away from home. The goals have dried up a touch domestically of late, but while the Carlos Tevez saga continues. Mario Balotelli is available for European competition and he has a knack for producing goals on the big stage.
Roberto Mancini will be desperate to lift the cup as the shadow of Jose Mourinho looms large in the background, so you can expect him to send his side out to grab at least one away goal this evening.
Recent results point to a low scoring affair but both of these teams have plenty of goals in them and they will both be taking it very seriously. Under 2.5 Goals is trading at around [1.89] and that seems a bit skinny to me as I really fancy this one to be a goalfest.
Recommended Bet: Lay Under 2.5 Goals @ [1.89]
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