After progressing to the round of 16 of the Europa League, Porto returned to league play against Gil Vicente at Estadio does Dragao on Sunday with kickoff at 11:30 pm.
The Gilistas head into the game as the most in-form team in the league and will look to keep their winning streak against a weakened side.
After losing, 2-1, in the first leg of their Round of 16 ties at Estadio Dragao last week to Italian side Lazio, Portuguese outfit Porto rebounded from the setback with a 2-2 draw in Italy last Thursday to advance to the tournament’s next phase.
Having fallen behind to Ciro Immobile’s 19th-minute opener, Mehdi Taremi and Mateus Uribe scored to turn the game around before substitute Danilo Cataldi levelled matters in the 94th minute.
Porto’s win over Lazio was returning to winning ways on home soil in their most recent match against lowly Moreirense; Evanilson’s 40th-minute strike separated the sides.
Gil Vicente extended their unbeaten run to eight matches on Saturday, as they claimed a 2-0 victory over rock-bottom Belenenses at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.
The game was goalless until the 68th minute when Juan Calero broke the deadlock. Five minutes later, substitute Elder Santana ensured that Gil Vicente’s marathon winning streak would continue.
FC Porto vs Gil Vicente Head to Head
Both sides have 18 games against each other, with hosts taking 14 wins while opponents with two wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Lazio 2-2 Porto
- Moreirense 0-1 FC Porto
- FC Porto 2-1 Lazio
- FC Porto 2-2 Sporting CP
- Benfica 1-2 Porto
Away
- Gil Vicente 2-0 Belenenses
- FC Vizela 0-1 Gil Vicente
- Gil Vicente 2-2 Santa Clara
- Benfica 1-2 Gil Vicente
- Gil Vicente 1-0 Portimonense
FC Porto Team News
The Eagles will be without defender Wilson Manafa for the clash with Guimaraes as he recovers from an injury suffered in the FCP game versus rivals Benfica on December 31. Marko Grujic is also out of the game due to a suspension incurred against Moreirense.
Gil Vicente Team News
Meanwhile, Gilistas should once again rely on Andrew in goal as first-choice keeper Ziga Freligh continues his spell on the bench after picking up an injury against Portimonense on January 23.
Prediction and Odds
Sunday’s game between SL Benfica and FC Porto pits two of the most in-form teams in the Portuguese Primeira Liga against each other, so this match is bound to be a thriller.
- Porto Win
- Double Chance
- Goals Over 2.5
