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A big few months lie ahead for Iranian superstar Mehdi Taremi

Mehdi Taremi

Iran striker Mehdi Taremi has arrived back in Portugal to link up with his FC Porto teammates. So with his season in Portugal now at a crucial stage, and rumours of a transfer to Chelsea making headlines, what does the future hold in store for the Iranian superstar?

Mixed World Cup for Taremi

Mehdi Taremi may have mixed feelings about his nation's performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Iran gave a good account of themselves in the matches against Wales and the USA but were disappointing in their 6-2 defeat to England - a match which saw Taremi score twice.

With rumoured Chelsea transfer interest in the former Persian League superstar, scoring twice against the English national team won't have done his reputation any harm, that's for sure. It may even hasten his departure from Portugal as no one could have failed to be impressed by the 30-year-old's performance against Gareth Southgate's team.

But should Taremi not move to the Premier League in January 2023, or anywhere else for that matter, what lies in store for the striker in the following months in Portugal?

Primeira Liga: Work cut out to catch Benfica

The Portuguese Primeira Liga resumes on 28th December, and when it does, Taremi and his Porto side will find themselves in second place, eight points behind leaders Porto. The gap in points means that in the latest football betting, Benfica are 3/10 to win the Primeira Liga, with Porto second at 4/1.

Porto are now the better value bet at those odds, and keeping hold of Taremi in the January transfer window will be crucial for Porto’s chances of overtaking their great rivals. But an eight points gap will be difficult to close, and it could be the case that a run in the Champions League now offers more chances of success for Taremi.

Can Taremi fire Porto to a Champions League title?

So, does Mehdi Taremi and his Porto side have a chance of success in the Champions League this season? Porto have certainly had a good time in the group stages, finishing top of Group B ahead of Club Brugge, Bayer Leverkusen, and Atletico Madrid.

Porto are likely to feature heavily in exclusive betting tips when it comes to the Champions League Round of 16. They are outsiders to win the competition, but with players like Taremi on board, there's value to be found. When it comes to individual match betting, expert tipsters examine how minor details add up to major differences. Accessing their channels, you can see just where a team or player might turn the tables.

In the Round of 16 they face Inter Milan, and if Taremi can build on the five goals he scored in the Champions League group stages, then Porto will have a chance to progress when they take on Inter in February 2023.

If they do get through that challenge, it will get more difficult. But as was shown by Taremi’s predecessors at Porto back in 2004, nothing is impossible.

Mehdi Taremi