Fresh off the back of suffering their first league defeat of the season, Porto play host to Vizela at the Estadio do Dragao in round 32 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday.
Sergio Conceicao's side could complete a league double over the Vizelenenses after cruising to an emphatic 4-0 victory when the side met back in December's reverse fixture.
Match preview
Porto's early title celebrations were delayed as they suffered their first defeat of the season when they were beaten 1-0 by a spirited Braga side at the Estadio Braga Municipal last Monday.
Despite being in the ascendancy for most of the game, the Dragoes had nothing to show for their dominance as Ricardo Horta scored the only goal of the game to hand Carlos Carvalhal's side all three points.
Prior to that, Sergio Conceicao's side were unbeaten in 58 consecutive Primeira Liga matches, stretching back to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Pacos de Ferreira back in October 2020.
Porto have now won 26, drawn four and lost one of their 31 games this season to collect 82 points and comfortably sit top of the league standings with a six-point cushion over second-placed Sporting Lisbon.
Meanwhile, Vizela returned to winning ways as they edged out Arouca 2-1 when the sides squared off at the Estadio do FC Vizela last Friday.
Guilherme Schettine put on a show as the Brazilian forward scored either side of Alan Ruiz's 49th-minute equaliser to condemn the visitors to their 16th loss of the season.
Prior to that, Alvaro Pacheco's side saw their three-game unbeaten run come on April 10, when they were beaten 1-0 by Braga before losing by the same scoreline to last-placed Belenenses six days later.
With 32 points from 31 games, Vizela are currently 13th in the league standings, four points adrift of 10th-placed Santa Clara in the top half of the table with three games left to play.
While the Vizelenses will be looking to pick up successive victories for just the second time this season, next up is an opposing side who have won each of the two meetings between the sides, scoring seven goals and conceding one in that time.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- D
- D
- W
- L
- L
- W
Team News
Porto will be without the services of Colombian international Mateus Uribe, who picked up a thigh injury in the game against Santa Clara on April 4.
Fellow midfielder Bruno Costa will play no part in Saturday's game after the 25-year-old sustained an injury in March's Europa League clash with Lyon.
Another name on the Dragoes' injury table is Portuguese full-back Wilson Manafa, who has been out of action since last December through a leg problem.
As for Vizela, Pacheco will be unable to call upon Portuguese defender Bruno Wilson, who is set to sit out his sixth consecutive game after picking up a muscle problem back in March.
Marcus Paulo is also out of contention for the Vizelenenses after the 33-year-old midfielder came off injured in the game against Benfica on March 11.
With his brace against Arouca last time out, Schettine now has eight league goals under his belt this season and the Brazilian forward should lead the attack once again, alongside Cassiano and Kiko Bondoso.
Porto possible starting lineup:
D Costa; Sanusi, Pepe, Mbemba, Mario; Vitinha, Grujic, Otavio; Taremi, Vieira, Evanilson
Vizela possible starting lineup:
Silva; Juliao, Anderson, Fernandes, Ofori; Claudemir, Samu, Mendez; Bondoso, Cassiano, Schettine
We say: Porto 2-0 Vizela
Fresh off the back of picking up their first defeat of the season, Porto will look to make an immediate response and return to winning ways to avoid a late upset in their title charge. Conceicao's men take on an inconsistent Vizela side who have managed just three wins on the road this season and we are backing them to come away with all three points.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
