Portovs.Estrela Amadora

Vitor Bruno's side are currently third in the Primeira Liga table, two points behind the leaders Sporting Lisbon, while Estrela are down in 13th, picking up 12 points from their opening 13 matches of the campaign.

Match preview

Porto boast a record of 10 wins, one draw and two defeats from their 13 league matches this season, with a total of 31 points leaving them in third spot in the division, two points behind the leaders Sporting Lisbon.

Bruno's team were held to a 1-1 draw by Famalicao in the league last time out, but they returned to winning ways in Europe last week, recording a 2-0 victory over FC Midtjylland in Portugal.

The result moved the Blue and Whites onto eight points from six matches in the Europa League, which has left them in 18th spot in the table, three points behind eighth-placed Rangers with two games left.

Porto have only actually won one of their last three league matches, with that run including a 4-1 reverse to Benfica, and there is pressure on them to return to winning ways on Monday night, as they bid to stay in touch at the top of the division.

The Dragons recorded a 2-0 victory in the corresponding match during the 2023-24 campaign, and they have been excellent on home soil this term, posting seven straight wins, scoring 19 times and conceding just twice.

Estrela, on the other hand, have the worst away record in Portugal's top flight this season, only picking up one point from six matches, conceding 12 times in the process.

The Tricolours finished 14th in the Primeira Liga last season, and they currently sit 13th in the current table, boasting a record of three wins, three draws and seven defeats from their 13 matches to collect 12 points.

Jose Faria's side will enter this game off the back of a 2-1 win over Arouca, with the team responding impressively to successive defeats to Benfica and Farense at the end of November.

Estrela have the third-worst defensive record in Portugal's top flight this season, conceding 22 times, while they shipped seven against Benfica in the Taca de Portugal last month.

Tricolores were only founded in 2020, and they will be the huge underdogs heading into Monday's contest, but a record of two wins from their last three league matches should hand them confidence ahead of this match.

Porto Primeira Liga form:

W

W

W

L

W

D

Porto form (all competitions):

L

L

D

W

D

W

Estrela Amadora Primeira Liga form:

L

D

L

W

L

W

Estrela Amadora form (all competitions):

D

L

W

L

L

W

Team News

Porto will again be without the services of Ivan Marcano on Monday, while Marko Grujic is unlikely to be available, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape heading into this clash.

Samu Aghehowa is having an outstanding season, scoring scoring 15 times in 18 appearances in all competitions, including 10 goals in 10 league appearances, and the 20-year-old will once again lead the line.

Danny Namaso was on the scoresheet in the European clash last time out, but the 24-year-old is expected to be among the substitutes for the first whistle on Monday night.

As for Estrela, Till Cissokho and Andre Luiz are out of the contest due to injury problems, but the visitors have not reported any fresh issues ahead of their contest with the title hopefuls.

Kikas has scored four times in 15 appearances this season and will again feature in the final third of the field for the visitors.

Paulo Moreira is one of three players in the squad to score once this season, and the 24-year-old will again operate in midfield, but Nani is no longer available, with the experienced attacker announcing his retirement from professional football earlier this month.

Porto possible starting lineup:

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

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:

Brigido; Ferro, Lopes, Lima; Veiga, Moreira, Cordeiro, Varela; Ruiz, Kikas, Cabral

We say: Porto 2-0 Estrela Amadora

Porto were held last time out in Portugal's top flight, but they have been so strong at home this season, winning all seven of their league matches, and we are expecting the hosts to secure a routine three points.

Written by

Matt Law

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