With both sides in scintillating form at the moment, there is every chance we are going to see a lot of fireworks when Porto take on Malaga at Estadio do Dragao.

The Portuguese giants eased off to Champions League knockout stages, beating Dynamo Kiev to the second place in their group, while they narrowly missed out on the first place to PSG.

That proved to be a blessing in disguise seeing that they were pitted against Malaga, when they were so many genuine European giants in the draw.

Considering team’s outstanding showings this season, it is hardly surprising Porto are 1.85 (17/20) favourites with Ladbrokes to win the first leg, while they are 1.90 (9/10) with Stan James to qualify for the quarter-finals.

After forwards James Rodriguez and Silvestre Varela both resumed full training, boss Vitor Pereira can now field his strongest attacking line-up, with red-hot Jackson Martinez leading the line.

Midfielder Steven Defour is a slight doubt with a muscle injury, which is enough to suggest Porto will be at full strength against Malaga.

New signings Marat Izmailov and Liedson have been added to the Champions League squad, but they might have to settle for places on the bench.

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

Malaga may have done brilliantly to achieve a top 4 finish in La Liga last term, but they were predicted a very difficult season when it was revealed the club were in serious financial problems.

Oddly enough, that seems to have given the team an unlikely boost, with Manuel Pellegrini’s side overcoming the loss of key players to enjoy a thoroughly impressive campaign.

While winning the first place in the Champions League group that also contained Milan, Zenit and Anderlecht, they quickly climb to La Liga top 4, and look set to ensure another campaign in Europe’s elite competition.

Their current one, however, could prove to be a huge success if they can negotiate their way past Porto, with bet365 paying 2.05 (21/20) on los Boquerones to qualify.

The visitors go into this game high on confidence, having picked up 10 points from last 4 league games, and they arrive in Portugal will almost full squad.

Duda, Jesus Gamez, Julio Baptista and Seba Fernandez have all resumed full training, leaving new signing Pedro Morales and injured midfielder Eliseu the only unavailable players at the moment.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Caballero – Gamez, Weligton, Demichelis, Antunes – Toulalan, Iturra – Joaquin, Baptista, Isco – Saviola.

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