The Portuguese champions, Porto, will be in action on Friday when they go head to head with high-flying Braga at the Estadio do Dragao, with kickoff at 11:15 pm.
In their most recent outing, Porto could only salvage a 1-1 draw with 10-man Estoril Praia at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on September 22.
In a game where Mor Ndiaye received his marching orders after 23 minutes, Tiago Gouveia put the hosts in front with a 41st-minute strike. Still, Mehdi Taremi kept his cool under pressure as he converted his spot kick in the ninth minute of stoppage time to force a share of the spoils.
This followed a disappointing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Belgian outfit Club Brugge in Group B of the Champions League on September 13, which saw the Dragoes drop to the bottom of the table after losing their opening two matches.
On September 21, Braga defeated Vizela 2-0 at Estadio Braga Municipal. Substitute Vitinha scored the first goal in the 83rd minute, and Ricardo Horta secured the win with a goal in the 95th minute.
This result followed a 1-0 victory over German side Union Berlin on September 15 in Group D of the Europa League, where Braga is currently tied for second place with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
FC Porto vs. Sporting Lisbon Head to Head
Both sides have 44 games against each other, with hosts taking 24 wins while visitors with 10 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Estoril Praia 1-1 FC Porto
- FC Porto 0-4 Club Brugge
- FC Porto 3-0 GD Chaves
- Atletico Madrid 2-1 FC Porto
Away
- Sporting Braga 2-0 FC Vizela
- Sporting Braga 1-0 Union Berlin
- Rio Ave 2-3 Braga
- Malmo 0-2 Braga
FC Porto Team News
Fernando Andrade, who has yet to make an appearance this season after sustaining a severe injury back in May, is Porto’s only absentee for the trip to Guimaraes. The Portuguese champions are also without Otavio, who missed their last game against Club Brugge in the Champions League after coming off injured in that match.
Sporting Braga Team News
Braga defender Victor Gomez will miss the clash with Porto after picking up an injury in August’s league opener against Sporting Lisbon, while fellow defender Sikou Niakate is out of contention for the visitors.
Prediction and Odds
The top of the table is separated by three points and one place between Porto and Braga, so we expect an exciting match between the two sides.
- Away Win
- Goals Over 1.5
- Both Teams to Score
