Porto will be looking for their eighth Primeira Liga victory in a row when they travel to Portimonense to continue their 2021-22 campaign.
The Dragons are currently leading in the table, being level on points with Sporting Lisbon who are second in the table, while Portimonense have picked up 20 points from their 12 matches to sit sixth on the table.
Portimonense are the underdogs in this match. However, they will come into the game with full confidence, having registered victories in each of their last three matches, without conceding even once.
They have beaten Belenenses 2-0 and Famalicao 3-0 in their last two matches in the league, and won 3-0 over Panafiel in the Taca de Portugal on November 19th.
In their 12 Primeira Liga matches this season, they have won six, drawn two and lost four, making them collect 20 points and occupy the sixth spot in the table, with a difference of one point from fifth-placed Estoril.
Portimonese finished 14th in the league last season, a point clear of 16th placed Rio Ave, meaning it has been an encouraging start of the 2021-22 campaign for them.
On the other hand, Porto have won each of their last seven league matches, including their last 2-1 victory over Vitoria Guimaraes.
They have won 10 and drawn two of their 12 league matches this season, collecting 32 points, level on points with Sporting Lisbon and just a point clear of Benfica who are third on the table.
Porto picked up a 5-1 voctory over Feirense on Novermber 20th in the Taca de Portugal. However, they lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League soon after.
Porto have managed to win the Primeira Liga 29 times, including 2019-20, but they finished second last season, five points behind the champions Sporting Lisbon.
Portimonense vs Porto head to head
The pair have previously met in 13 occasions with Portimonense being the underdogs. In the 13 meetings across all competitions, Porto have won 12 while the hosts have won just one. Porto have scored 40 goals and conceded 15, having won in all their last five encounters.
Portimonense 0-3 Porto 13/03/19
Portimonense 2-3 Porto 15/09/19
Porto 1-0 Portimonense 23/02/20
Porto 3-1 Portimonense 08/11/21
Portimonense 1-2 Porto 20/03/21
Portimonense latest home form
Having lost 2-0 to Estoril on 24th October, Portimonense came back strong and registed a 2-0 victory over Belenenses last month, which we could say is an upturn in form. In their last five matches at home, they have won two, drawn one and lost two all in the Primeira Liga.
Portimonense 0-1 Pacos Ferreira 29/08/21
Portimonense 2-1 Santa Clara 17/09/21
Portimonense 0-0 Vizela 26/09/21
Portimonense 0-2 Estoril 24/10/21
Portimonense 2-0 Belenenses 06/11/21
Portimonense latest away form
Portimonense have most recently shown potential and have had a good performance in their last two away games. Despite having lost 3-0 to Sporting Braga, they took a 3-0 victory over Panafiel in the Taca de Portugal before finishing with another 3-0 victory over Famalicao in the league.
Benfica 0-1 Portimonense 03/10/21
UD Oliveirense 3-3(p) Portimonense 17/10/21
Sporting Braga 3-0 Portimonense 01/11/21
Panafiel 0-3 Portimonense 19/11/21
Famalicao 0-3 Portimonense 27/11/21
Porto latest home form
The Dragons are currently on good form at home, having gone unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions. They have won all with three victories in the league, one in the Taca de Portugal 5-1 over Feirense, and one in the Champions League 1-0 over AC Milan.
Porto 2-1 Pacos Ferreira 02/10/21
Porto 1-0 AC Milan 19/10/21
Porto 4-1 Boavista 30/10/21
Porto 5-1 Feirense 20/11/21
Porto 2-1 Vitoria Guimaraes 28/11/21
Porto latest away form
Porto lost their last away match to Liverpool in the Champions League, which is not a good performance. They however have a good away form having lost just twice in their ten most recent away fixtures. In their last five, they have won two, drawn one and lost two.
Tondela 1-3 Porto 23/10/21
Santa Clara 3-1 Porto 26/10/21
AC Milan 1-1 Porto 03/11/21
Santa Clara 0-3 Porto 07/11/21
Liverpool 2-0 Porto 24/11/21
Portimonense news
Portimonense are working on Lucas Fernandes’ fitness for the Friday’s fixture, while Shoya Nakajima will most likely miss out of the squad.
There are a number of changes expected in the starting XI, with Fabricio leading the attack again, while Pedro Sa and Carlinhos could line up in the mid.
Porto news
Ivan Marcano and Francisco Conceicao will be missing out of the squad due to injury, while Pepe is still a doubt with his fitness here, but he is expected to be cleared in time to feature. Luis Diaz will feature again, while Evanilson and Mehdi Taremi will continue in the final third.
Prediction and Odds
Despite Portimonense recent good form, which could give them confidence heading into this encounter, it could be difficult for them to get through Porto especially with their recent results. Porto are coming into this match with quality and we could back them to take the away victory.
Odds: 1 3.67 X 2.95 2 1.34
Probable outcomes
Portimonense 0-2 Porto
Portimonense 0-3 Porto
Portimonense 1-3 Porto
Portimonense 1-2 Porto
Portimonense 2-4 Porto
