Farensevs.Porto

The Lions of Faro have struggled so far in 2025, though they may sense an unlikely opportunity to pick up points against the lacklustre Dragoes.

Match preview

Toze Marreco's Farense are still waiting for their first win of the calendar year, and having lost three and drawn two of their league matches in 2025, they currently find themselves in the relegation zone ahead of this weekend.

Last time out, the hosts were beaten 2-0 on their own turf by 14th-placed Nacional, and given that the Lions of Faro last won a home match back in November, fans have every right to be worried about a visit from even a dysfunctional Porto.

To make matters worse, Toze's side have scored the fewest times of any club in the division, and with just 13 goals to their name from 21 games to date, the boss will have to rely on his shaky defence if his team are to take anything from Sunday's clash.

That being said, the gap to AVS in the relegation playoff spot is just three points, and with the safety of 15th only five points in front, Farense can still save their season if they can rediscover the resilience that saw them lose just one of their eight league fixtures between November and January.

Meanwhile, Porto announced that they had parted ways with Vitor Bruno late last month, and he has been replaced by 39-year-old Martin Anselmi, formerly of Cruz Azul.

The new boss has overseen four games since his arrival and is yet to taste defeat, though his record of one win and three draws across two matches each in the Primeira Liga and Europa League is far from remarkable.

Ahead of Sunday's trip to Farense, Os Dragoes are third in the top flight, four points behind rivals Benfica in second and eight behind league leaders Sporting Lisbon after 21 games.

Last time out domestically, Danny Namaso's 94th-minute finish rescued a point for Anselmi's side in a close-fought 1-1 draw with Sporting that saw both Matheus Reis and Ousmane Diomande sent off in stoppage time at the Estadio do Dragao.

However, although that result was positive, it extended the visitors' winless run to five league games and further highlighted the fact that they are yet to take maximum points from any non-European game in 2025.

Additionally, Porto will be playing on the road this weekend, and even though they are up against a relegation candidate, their away record may be a cause for concern given that they have won just once away from home since November.

SC Farense Primeira Liga form:

D

D

D

L

L

L

SC Farense form (all competitions):

D

L

D

L

L

L

Porto Primeira Liga form:

W

L

L

D

D

D

Porto form (all competitions):

L

D

W

D

D

D

Team News

After he picked up a red card last time out, Farense will be without right-sided attacker Elves Balde this weekend.

In his absence, Pastor could start in front of right centre-back Marco Moreno, providing attacking support for Rony Lopes and assistance for the backline.

Elsewhere, midfielder Angelo Neto is a doubt for the clash, though he could make the squad if deemed fit enough to contribute.

As for Porto, Martim Fernandes may be back in contention after recovering from a muscle injury, but the boss is likely to keep him on the bench for now.

The visitors will also welcome centre-half Otavio back into the lineup after he served a suspension against Sporting for accumulating yellow cards, though he did maintain his sharpness by featuring in the Europa League against Roma earlier this week.

SC Farense possible starting lineup:

Velho; Moreno, Falcao, Africo; Pastor, Carlos, Menino, Victor; Lopes, Tomane, Matias

Porto possible starting lineup:

Costa; Djalo, Perez, Otavio; J Mario, Eustaquio, Varela, Moura; Borges, Mora; Aghehowa

We say: SC Farense 1-2 Porto

Farense may be in a relegation fight, but they will be facing a Porto side that have struggled to take maximum points lately.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

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