Arsenal v Porto: Back 7/1 Bet Builder in UCL

• Porto's leading fouler set for busy night

• Wendell card could occur in Saka battle

• Back Bet Builder double at around 7/1

• Read about Betfair's 90 Minute Payout offer here

Arsenal v Porto
Tuesday 12 March, 20:00
Live on TNT Sports 1

"It is a team that is very well organised defensively. They break your rhythm all the time, there were like 35 or 37 fouls in the game."

So said Mikel Arteta after Arsenal's 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie away to Porto.

It was actually 36 fouls but the point stands and with a lead to defend, it could well be to Porto's advantage to turn this into a scrappy, stop-start game. That clearly didn't help Arsenal in the first leg.

Essentially I'm keen on the fouls and cards markets for this one - somewhat surprisingly given their position of third in the table, only two sides have received more cards in the Portuguese Primeira Division this season than Porto.

Leg 1: Alan Varela to commit 2+ fouls

I'll start in the fouls market where defensive midfielder Alan Varela could be in for a busy night if Arsenal enjoy the lion's share of possession, as expected. They had 65% of the ball in Porto three weeks ago.

He's 6/52.20 for 2+ fouls which looks worth a try in the circumstances - the Argentine has landed this in six of his last 11 games.

In terms of fouls per game across all competitions this season, Varela has the team's top fouler and he also tops the charts for fouls committed for his side in this Champions League.

Leg 2: Wendell to be shown a card

The other player I feel could find a bit of trouble with referee Clement Turpin is left-back Wendell.

It's the card market I like him in - the Brazilian is 11/43.75 to be shown a card.

Given he's picked up seven in 24 appearances this season, that looks more than fair, and when you throw in the fact he's set for one of his toughest games of the campaign, going up against Bukayo Saka, then it makes solid sense to back him.

Wendell committed two fouls in the first leg (without being booked).

Turpin isn't a ref you'd hand pick for this particular job but he's still shown 4+ cards in 22 of his last 37 UEFA club appointments and that's enough for me to side with Wendell in a Bet Builder double which pays around 7/18.00.

More Arsenal v Porto: Tom Victor's in-depth preview