Porto may have scored the winning goal in the first leg from an offside position, but the Dragons are now in the driving seat ahead of the clash at La Rosaleda.

Malaga have seen a huge dip in form since the match in Portugal, but that is unlikely to be a problem in what is without a doubt the most important match in club’s history.

Due to the serious financial problems and departure of several important players in the summer, los Boquerones were predicted a difficult season and were not even expected to make it to Champions League group stages.

Malaga, nonetheless, impressed in Europe to win their group in front of Milan and Zenit, while also doing well to hold on to a top 4 place in Spanish La Liga.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side, however, could not match Porto in the first leg of the last 16 stage clash, and they were fortunate to lose by one goal even if the winner was scored from an offside position.

The team have since also failed to win any of their next three league games, which clearly suggests they are going through a very rough patch at the moment.

This is probably one of the reasons why Malaga are no less than 4.50 (7/2) at bet365 to make it to the quarter-finals.

Boss Manuel Pellegrini has received a welcoming boost as Julio Baptista, Javier Portillo and Eliseu all resumed full training, but none of the three players is expected to start.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Caballero – Sanchez, Demichelis, Weligton, Antunes – Toulalan, Iturra – Joaquin, Piazon, Isco – Santa Cruz.

Over the last ten odd years, Porto have established themselves as genuine European giants and nobody is surprised to see them battling for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Failing to win their Champions League group proved to be a blessing in disguise as they were pitted against Malaga, a team weaker than most second-placed sides in the draw.

As a result, Porto completely outclassed their opponents in the first leg, and even if they deserved to win by more than one goal, the 1-0 win can be seen as a great result before the return leg.

The Dragons recently slipped from the top of Primeira Liga as they shared spoils with Sporting, but their 16-match unbeaten run gives them plenty of reason for optimism ahead of the match at La Rosaleda.

Porto are now just 1.30 (3/10) at William Hill to make it to the next round and 2.80 (9/5) at Ladbrokes to win in Malaga.

Vitor Pereira has been boosted by the return of Joao Moutinho and Eliaquim Mangala from injury, meaning he can now field his strongest side.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Helton – Danilo, Otamendi, Mangala, Alex Sandro – Lucho, Fernando, Moutinho – Izmailov, Martinez, James Rodriguez.

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