Champions League Odds: Jose Mourinho faces old team as Chelsea battle FC Porto
He returned FC Porto to their glory days — the native son Jose Mourinho was still just a young coach on the rise when he led the Portuguese giants to the 2004 Champions League crown.
That was the culmination of a tremendous run for Porto, which also included two Portuguese titles, a Portugal Cup crown and the 2003 UEFA Cup.
But that also marked the end of his time on the Iberian Peninsula, as he headed off for the money and fame at Chelsea, where he has won two Premiership titles.
On Wednesday, Mourinho brings his English side back to the western Portuguese seaboard for the second time — for the first leg of Porto-Chelsea in the Round of 16 Champions League showdown.
The first meeting of Mourinho’s old and new team came in the fall 2004 when Porto beat Chelsea 2-1. But that was the last game-day of the group stage, and Mourinho’s troops had already been qualified.
Despite the Round of 16 tie finally meaning something, expect plenty of fanfare from the Porto fans, who will never forget what Mourinho did for the club. Chelsea matches are even shown regularly on Portuguese television.
Both teams definitely are in fine form, Chelsea pasting Norwich 4-0 in the FA Cup and Porto beating Naval 1 de Maio 4-0 to extend their lead atop the Portuguese lead to five points.
Chelsea are -110 AllHorseRacing.com favourites on the road. And Mourinho will have his men rested as he didn’t play Ricardo Carvalho or Claude Makelele against Norwich and then took off Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard after the game had been decided.
In Wednesday’s other action, reigning champions Barcelona are heavy -175 Bodog.com favourites in their showdown with 2005 title-winners Liverpool. Inter Milan are also favoured to beat Valencia at home. But expect a tough battle between hosts Roma and Lyon.
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Chelsea vs Porto Prediction: Chelsea 2, Porto 1.
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[...] The UEFA Champions League action continues Wednesday as FC Porto hosts Chelsea. With the Blues sitting at the top two of the Premiership, Jose Mourinho will hope his team can keep up their scoring ways. Get your Champions League odds and lines at Sports Interaction. [...]