UEFA Champions League Play: Apoel Nicosia @ FC Porto

SOCCER PLAY - UEFA Champions League: Apoel Nicosia @ FC Porto

***TRIPLE DIME PLAY***

*TOP PLAY*

In this contest I’m taking FC Porto AH -1.25 (-1, 1.25) for a Triple Dime Play! My fair line is FC Porto to win by at least two goals of difference so in my opinion we have a lot of value with this play.

The Portuguese team is the strongest team of the group and the loss in Russia against Zenit in the last round did not change my mind at all in this thought. They started the Champions League with a 2-1 home win against Shakhtar Donetsk but do not let the result foul you: the game was a huge mismatch for FC Porto! A 23-7 edge in overall shots says it all! Then they lost on the road against Zenit by 1-3. However note that the game was tied 1-1 in the first half when wingback Jorge Fucile was sent off. FC Porto simply ran out of gas in the second half which was quite understandable: 1) they were playing without one man for more than 45 minutes; 2) they had to deal with a huge travel to Russia (from Portugal) & cold weather for a tough physical spot and finally 3) they were coming from a huge domestic game against the main rivals SL Benfica – a emotional and physical letdown was almost inevitable!

For this contest, midfielder Freddy Guarin is available after serving a 2-game ban and he is pivotal for FC Porto! With him on the field, they can pressure high on the pitch and we can expect FC Porto to have +60% of ball possession.

On the other side, Apoel Nicosia is the biggest surprise of the competition so far. They have 4 points via defeating Zenit at home 2-1 and got a draw on the road against Shakhtar. However I’m not impressed with them! Note that they have several Portuguese players or players that played in Portugal and ALL OF THEM while on Portugal did not play (and don’t have the proper level to play) on the best clubs.

I want to highlight the fact that they were extremely lucky to get a draw in the last round against Shakhtar!  Shakhtar had 62% of ball possession, a 9-2 edge on corners and a 23-3 overall edge on shots! 23-3!!! It was just one of those days when everything goes wrong for one team...

Certainly I don’t think Apoel will be lucky once again while FC Porto is primed to make a strong statement at home! Take FC Porto AH -1.25 as my Triple Dime Play!

NOTE: line also available @ 5 Dimes (-116 / 1.86) & @ Betonline (-116 / 1.86)

Pick: 5 units (Triple Dime Play) on FC Porto AH -1.25 (-1, -1.5) @ -113 / 1.885 on Pinnacle