Moreirensevs.Porto

While the home sides have blown hot and cold this season, the Dragoes find themselves just two points off league leaders Sporting Lisbon and will head into the weekend looking to move top of the standings.

Match preview

Moreirense continue to struggle for consistency in the Portuguese Primeira Liga as they suffered a somewhat disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of bottom-dwellers Nacional last Saturday.

In an action-packed contest at the Estadio da Madeira, the home side were rewarded for their fine attacking display as Jose Gomes struck 10 minutes after the half-time break to hand Nacional their third league win of the campaign.

Since kicking off the campaign with back-to-back victories over Farense and Arouca, Moreirense have failed to put together a solid run in the league, picking up four wins and losing six of their subsequent 12 matches.

It is worth noting that all six of Os verdes e brancos' defeats this season have come on their travels as they remain one of just four sides yet to suffer defeat at home, having picked up four wins and two draws from their six matches — the fifth-best record in the division.

Having secured a sixth-placed finish last term, Moreirense have their sights on securing a spot in Europe this season as they currently sit seventh in the league standings with 20 points from 14 matches, seven points off the Conference League qualifying spot.

On the other hand, Porto continued their surge to the top of the league table on Monday when they picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory over 10-man Estrela Amadora at the Estadio do Dragao.

In a game where Danilo Viega received his marching orders, Nico Gonzalez netted his fourth league goal of the season to give the hosts a 12th-minute lead before Goncalo Borges put the result beyond reach with a 93rd-minute strike.

Before that, Danny Namaso and Samu Aghehowa scored in either half to fire Porto to a much-needed 2-0 victory over Danish outfit Midtjylland in the Europa League, where they have picked up just eight points from six matches to sit 18th in the standings.

With Monday's result, Porto have now gone five back-to-back games without defeat across all competitions, claiming three wins and two draws since losing three games on the trot against Lazio, Benfica and Moreirense back in November.

Vitor Bruno's men have picked 34 points from their 14 Primeira Liga matches so far to sit second in the standings, two points above rivals Benfica and two behind league leaders Sporting Lisbon.

While Porto will be looking to leapfrog Sporting Lisbon this weekend, they have struggled to grind out results on the road of late, losing three and claiming just two draws from their five away matches in all competitions since October's 5-0 victory over AVS.

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:

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Moreirense form (all competitions):

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Porto Primeira Liga form:

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Porto form (all competitions):

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Team News

Moreirense remain without the services of Brazilian midfielder Guilherme Liberato, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after coming off with a knee injury against Casa Pia on September 14.

Luis Asue was on target to inspire Os verdes e brancos' 2-1 comeback victory against Porto in their Taca de Portugal clash back in November and the 23-year-old striker, who has five goal contributions will look to deliver the goods once again.

As for Porto, Bruno will be unable to name Brazilian full-back Wendell, who has missed each of the last 12 matches since picking up a muscle problem against Sintrense on October 20.

He is joined on the club's injury table by Marko Grujic, who has been ruled out through a muscle problem, while Spanish defender Ivan Marcano continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines through an ACL injury.

Off the back of keeping their sixth clean sheet in the last nine games, we expect to see an unchanged back three of Martim Fernandes, Nehuen Perez and Otavio, with 25-year-old Diogo Costa starting between the sticks.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Kewin; Pinto, Marcelo, Maracas, Frimpong; Ismael, Tavares; Madson, Benny, Alanzinho; Schettine

Porto possible starting lineup:

Costa; Fernandes, Perez, Otavio; Gonzalez, Eustaquio, Vieira, Galeno; Namaso, Pepe, Aghehowa

We say: Moreirense 1-2 Porto

Porto could move top of the league standings with a win this weekend and we expect them to go all out against Moreirense who have won just three of their last 20 clashes since November 2010.

While Os verdes e brancos have been rock-solid at home this season, Bruno's men boast the firepower needed to get the job done and we fancy them to come away with all three points.

Written by

Joshua Ojele

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