Europa League 
/ Kevin Hatchard / 09 March 2011 / Leave a Comment Incredible Hulk, incredible record. The Brazilian star has scored 19 goals in 20 league matches.
"CSKA’s record against Thursday’s opponents Porto is abysmal. In four matches the Army Men have failed to score, let alone win, and they’ve lost both home games against the Dragons."
Porto are flying at home and have looked very impressive in Europe. Conditions in Moscow are always daunting but there are good reasons to think the Portuguese outfit can actually win this one.
Because the Russian Premier League season ended in November, CSKA have played just six competitive games in three months. Understandably they had great difficulty disposing of PAOK Salonika in the previous round, only winning the tie with a goal ten minutes from the end of the second leg.
The Russian league resumes this weekend, and CSKA have had mixed fortunes in their two domestic games so far. They lost 1-0 to bitter rivals Zenit in the Russian Super Cup, but beat Shinnik 1-0 in the Russian Cup.
CSKA's record against Thursday's opponents Porto is abysmal. In four matches the Army Men have failed to score, let alone win, and they've lost both home games against the Dragons.
Porto are flying in the Portuguese league, and have a nine point lead at the top. Led by charismatic young coach Andre Villas Boas (a disciple of Jose Mourinho), Porto have won 20 out of 22 league matches, drawing the other two and conceding a miserly seven goals.
Their Europa League record is also eye-catching - in the group stage they won five and drew one, and they overcame Sevilla on away goals. Porto boast the tournament's top scorer in Radamel Falcao (seven goals), and strike partner Hulk has scored 19 goals in 20 league matches.
RECOMMENDED BET: CSKA's season is just starting, and Porto have won on their last two trips to the Russian capital. Back Porto to win at [2.96]
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