FC Porto VS FC Famalicao, keep their Primeira Liga title hopes alive

Match Time：5/1/2021 04:15 Saturday  (GMT+8)

Portugal Primeira Liga --  FC Porto   VS   FC Famalicao

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Porto will be looking to keep their Primeira Liga title hopes alive when they host Famalicao on Friday evening.

 

The hosts have not lost any of their last 23 league matches, while the visitors are unbeaten in their previous three away games, scoring eight goals in the process.

 

Match preview

 

Porto's impressive run of seven consecutive league wins was ended last weekend as they could only draw 1-1 away at Moreirense.

 

Sergio Conceicao's side were behind until the 86th minute when Mehdi Taremi's penalty cancelled out Nahuel Ferraresi's first-half opener, rescuing a point for the visitors.

 

Porto's hopes of retaining the Primeira Liga title are still in sight, although they are six points behind league leaders Sporting Lisbon, with only five matches remaining.

 

The Dragons cannot afford to drop any more points this campaign and with a crucial match against Benfica on the horizon, securing all three points on Friday is essential if they are to stay in the title race.

 

Porto cruised to a 4-1 victory over Famalicao in January, and another win against them would see Conceicao's men move to within three points of Sporting, although they would have played a game more than their rivals.

 

Famalicao claimed their 10th Primeira Liga draw of the season on Monday night when they drew 2-2 at home to Tondela.

 

The hosts scored twice before the half-hour mark thanks to strikes from Ivo Rodrigues and Leonardo Campana, however they were unable to hold onto their two-goal cushion, conceding twice in first-half stoppage time.

 

An entertaining first 45 eventually fizzled out in the second half to see both sides claim a point each, leaving Famalicao five points above the relegation zone.

 

Head coach Ivo Vieira will still feel that there is work to be done if they are to secure a third successive campaign in the Portuguese top-flight, although a positive result on Friday is not expected against one of the league's biggest clubs.

 

However, Famalicao – who have already drawn twice with Sporting this campaign and also beat Porto 2-1 in June last year – should not be underestimated and they will be keen to boost their hopes of survival with a win at the Estadio do Dragao.

 

Porto Primeira Liga form: WWWWWD

Porto form (all competitions): LWWWWD

Famalicao Primeira Liga form: WWDLWD

 

Team News

 

Porto's only injury concern remains backup goalkeeper Mouhamed Mbaye, who is still unavailable for selection with a knee injury.

 

Conceicao could name the same starting lineup for the third successive game, which would see Jesus Corona and Otavio operating on the flanks.

 

Strikers Taremi and Moussa Marega have scored 19 league goals between them so far this season and are expected to continue as the front two.

 

Meanwhile, Famalicao have no injury or suspension concerns and could also name the same first XI on Friday.

 

Wolverhampton Wanderers loanees Campana and Ruben Vinagre are both expected to keep their places up front and at left-back respectively, while Pepe and Ivan Jaime are set to partner each other in central midfield.

 

Porto possible starting lineup:

Marchesin; Nanu, Mbemba, Pepe, Manafa; Corona, Oliveira, Uribe, Otavio; Marega, Taremi

 

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Figueiras, Riccieli, Patrick, Vinagre; Assuncao; Rodrigues, Pepe, Jaime, Diaz; Campana

 

Porto 1-0 Famalicao