Best bets on Champions League action with Liverpool and Man City favourites

With the Champions League quarter finals getting underway tonight, with both matches in England as Liverpool host Porto and Tottenham and Manchester City play out an all Premier League affair, we’ve picked out a tip from each to consider ahead of kick-off.

Liverpool vs Porto

A repeat of last season’s round of 16 tie, it’s fair to say Liverpool will have been delighted to have avoided one of the big hitters so late in the tournament but Porto will have revenge on their minds. The Liga NOS outfit put in a woeful account of themselves on home soil last February to fall to a 5-0 defeat and will want to prove that they are capable of competing this time around.

That said, the Reds are the huge favourites to take a lead into the second leg for good reason, though their visitors may be being underestimated in some respects. Jurgen Klopp’s side haven’t exactly been watertight at the back of late after all, conceding in their last five matches, and will be without Andrew Robertson through suspension at Anfield.

Porto, meanwhile, have scored in all but three games in all competitions all season and have found the net in each of their eight Champions League outings to date. In fact, of the teams remaining only Manchester City (26) have scored more goals in the tournament than the Portuguese champions of late, and while Liverpool should win they will unquestionably have one eye on their clash with Chelsea at the weekend. As such, my tip is on a home win but with both teams scoring, as high as 3.20 with 888sport.

Tottenham vs Manchester City

In what will be a huge match under the lights at Tottenham’s outstanding new stadium, Manchester City will be keen to play the role of party poopers in the capital having one each of the last three meetings between the sides. Spurs’ record against the big teams in England has been pretty poor in general, so it’s little surprise that Pep Guardiola’s side are favourites despite being the away side.

The key to the outcome could well be in the middle ground and there’s no question that the visitors are stronger in that department. Christian Eriksen is certainly capable of causing problems for the hosts and has an impressive record against Manchester City but beyond the Dane, Tottenham are outclassed in that area.

Indeed, City are back to full strength in midfield and Kevin De Bruyne could have a decisive say having returned to fitness and form in recent weeks. The Belgian also has a penchant for a goal against Spurs, scoring in three of four starts, and is a high price to find the net at anytime, with prices exceeding 5.00 with a number of bookmakers.