UEFA Europa League: Manchester City vs FC Porto Odds and Betting Preview

MANCHESTER, UK: Defending Europa League champions Porto have a huge task on their hands in the last 32 of the competition as they travel to Premier League leaders Manchester City needing a win, after losing the first leg in Portugal. The bookmakers believe City will be too strong for the visitors, with William Hill top price on the hosts at 4/6 (bet £60 to win £40 profit), with the draw at 14/5 with Betfred. Porto can be backed at best odds of 5/1 with Boylesports and Ladbrokes.

The first leg was decided by Sergio Aguero's 85th minute winner, which gave City their third win in a row in all competitions and continued their return to form following an indifferent run of results brought on, in part, by the absences of some of their key players. With Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure back in the side, Roberto Mancini will be confident of getting a result to at least ensure progression to the next round, although Porto are in pretty good shape themselves and have won as many as 11 of their last 15 games. City's lack of experience was probably responsible for their early exit from the Champions League and they will need to ensure that they are not careless on Wednesday night if they wish to avoid further disappointment.

The favourite score for the game is 1-0 to the home side, available at 13/2 with William Hill, who also offer 7/1 on both 2-0 to City and on a 1-1 draw. A repeat of City's 2-1 win in the first leg can be backed at odds of 8/1 with Ladbrokes, while an ego-boosting 3-0 win for City is 11/1 with Sky Bet. The same firm also offer 12/1 on a goalless draw, in the event of which Bet 365 will refund losing HT/FT, correct score and scorecast bets, while Porto are 14/1 with William Hill to snatch a 1-0 win. That result, however, would still send Porto out on away goals, and a 2-0 away win is as long as 30/1 with Paddy Power.

Of all City's potent attackers, Sergio Aguero is thought to pose the biggest threat to the away goal, and the Argentinian can be backed at 9/2 with BetVictor to open the scoring on Wednesday. The same firm go 5/1 on the controversial Mario Balotelli, while the same price is available with Boylesports on Edin Dzeko, although the Bosnian has struggled for starts recently. David Silva is 7/1 with Sky Bet to do the honours, ahead of Porto's best hope, Hulk, who is coveted by almost every top club in Europe and is 8/1 with Betfred to score against his potential future employers.

In the half-time/full-time market, the most likely course of events is thought to be City/City, at 11/8 with William Hill, ahead of draw/City at 7/2 with Padddy Power. BetVictor go 11/2 that both halves are drawn, while Porto are 10/1 with Blue Square and 888 Sport to lead at both the interval and the final whistle. Draw/Porto is 12/1 with Bet 365. 

City are favourites to win the Europa League this season, at 7/2 with Coral and Ladbrokes, with bitter rivals Manchester United slightly longer at 4/1 with William Hill. Porto look as if they need a miracle if they are to make even the next round, and are as long as 80/1 with Paddy Power to retain the trophy they won last season.

The game kicks off at 17.00 GMT and will be live on ESPN.

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