Preview: Estoril Praia vs. Porto - prediction, team news, lineups

While Porto are playing their first fixture at the third-round stage, Estoril have already posted a victory over Leixoes.

Match preview

At a time when they only sit in third position in Primeira Liga and are yet to qualify for the Champions League last 16, this is an important stage of the season for Porto.

Their most recent form has generally been impressive, winning a total of eight of their last 10 fixtures in all competitions and keeping six clean sheets during that period.

Nevertheless, they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat in Barcelona last week having previously held the lead, while Sergio Conceicao watched Porto lose 1-0 at home to their upcoming opponents in the league on November 3.

On a positive note, a 3-0 triumph was registered at Familicao on Saturday, a result that has moved them to within top spot after Benfica dropped points and with Sporting Lisbon not playing until Monday.

With crucial games against Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting coming up in due course, Conceicao will want to build momentum ahead of that crucial double-header.

From Estoril's perspective, participating in this competition is a welcome distraction to trying to avoid dropping into the relegation zone on a weekly basis.

The bottom seven teams in Portugal's top flight are separated by just three points, Estoril fifth from bottom having managed to post two wins in their last three league outings.

As well as the aforementioned triumph over Porto at Estadio do Dragao, Estoril thrashed Casa Pia by a 4-0 scoreline before losing out 3-1 at Braga last time out.

Estoril's Taca da Liga hopes have been boosted by a 2-1 success over Leixoes, putting them in a position where victory on Wednesday will secure a place in the last four and eliminate Porto in the process.

Estoril Praia Taca da Liga form:

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Estoril Praia form (all competitions):

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Porto Taca da Liga form:

Porto form (all competitions):

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Team News

Cassiano and Heriberto Tavares scored Estoril's goals in the previous Group D game against Leixoes, but they each started on the substitutes' bench against Braga.

Given the magnitude of the game, head coach Vasco Seabra could opt for his strongest lineup, that being the one from Sunday after Estoril initially led at the title challengers.

Despite having made his first outing from the bench in three months at the weekend, defender Raul Parra is unlikely to be considered for a start at this stage.

Conceicao may take a different approach with his Porto side given their upcoming schedule, the likelihood being that several alterations will be made.

Mehdi Taremi played the majority of the Famalicao game and could be replaced by Toni Martinez, while David Carmo and Zaidu Sanusi may get the nod over Pepe and Joao Mendes in defence.

Marko Grujic could also return in midfield, potentially as an alternative to Stephen Eustaquio.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Carnes; Feltes, Alvaro, Vital; Pina, Holsgrove, Fernandes, Araujo; Guitane, J.Marques; A.Marques

Porto possible starting lineup:

Costa; Sanchez, Carmo, Cardoso, Sanusi; Aquino, Varela, Grujic, Galeno; Evanilson, Martinez

We say: Estoril Praia 0-2 Porto

Despite already having a win under their belts, Estoril will recognise that they will probably have to win this fixture in order to progress. That may play into Porto's hands and we feel that the visitors should be able to record a hard-earned victory.

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