FC Porto will have an extra day of recovery before their Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Arsenal. The Liga Portugal giants have a slender one-goal lead going into next Tuesday's showdown.
Wenderson Galeno's superb curling effort proved to be the difference in Portugal at the end of February, in an unlikely win for Sergio Conceicao's side. Their triumph forms part of their current five-match unbeaten run which they will be looking to build upon following their 5-0 win over rivals SL Benfica this weekend.
Unlike Arsenal, Porto find themselves out of the title race in Portugal's top-flight. Sporting CP currently lead the way with Ruben Amorim's side sitting just one point clear of Benfica, while Porto sit seven points off the pace.
Their emphatic win over their rivals dented title aspirations of their own with a chance for Sporting to create a four-point gap over their nearest challengers, should they win their game in hand. The Gunners, on the other hand, can keep with the Premier League pacesetters with a win over Sheffield United on Monday.
There is an extra incentive for Mikel Arteta when their attention turns to European football next Tuesday. Arsenal's record in the Champions League knockout stages has been poor and they're at risk of extending their unwanted record, should they fail to beat the Portuguese giants.
Arsenal haven't progressed beyond the first knockout round of the elite European since 2009-10 — failing to win in their last eight Round of 16 ties. Porto, who tasted Champions League success in 2004 under Jose Mourinho, could have the upper hand in their preparations for the second leg.
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