Preview: Porto vs. Moreirense - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts will be seeking to maintain their unbeaten record and keep within touching distance of league leaders Benfica, while the visitors come in search of their first win of the campaign.

Match preview

Porto were denied a second consecutive victory last Saturday when they played out a 1-1 draw against Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

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After Nuno Santos's 16th-minute strike put the reigning champions in front heading into the break, Sergio Conceicao's men upped the ante after the restart as Luis Diaz scored in the 71st minute to force a draw.

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This was followed by an uneventful goalless draw against Spanish heavyweights Atletico Madrid when they locked horns in the Champions League Group B curtain-raiser four days later.

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The Dragoes return to the Primeira Liga this weekend to face an opposing side, who they are unbeaten against in the last 10 meetings between the sides, dating back to a 3-1 defeat back in May 2017.

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Moreirense, on the other hand, failed to end their struggles in the new campaign as they played out a 2-2 draw against Famalicao last Sunday.

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In a clash between two sides at the wrong end of the table, French forward Simon Banza scored twice to cancel out Rafael Martins's opener and turn the game around before Andre Luis restored parity with a 71st-minute strike.

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Joao Henriques's men are now one of three sides yet to taste victory this term after picking up three draws and losing two of their five outings.

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This poor run of results has been down to their frailties in defence, a key area in need of strengthening as they have conceded the third-most goals so far with 10.

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While they will be seeking to end this dry spell and get their season up and running, they are faced with the uphill task of taking on a rampant Porto side, who are on a blistering run of 19 games without defeat.

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Next up for Os verdes e branco is a home clash against Arouca, while this weekend's hosts take a trip to Gil Vicente before welcoming Liverpool to the Estadio do Dragao in the Champions League four days later.

Porto Primeira Liga form:

Porto form (all competitions):

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:

Moreirense form (all competitions):

Team News

Porto will take to the pitch without the services of first-choice goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin, who recently went under the knife for a knee injury, and in his absence Diogo Costa, who impressed against Sporting Lisbon last weekend, will continue between the sticks.

Spanish forward Toni Martinez, who has netted three goals so far, is also out of contention after receiving his marching orders in the aforementioned game.

Pepe came off with a 54th-minute injury in the tie against Atletico Madrid last time out and should the veteran defender fail to pass a fitness test, Ivan Marcano could be deputed at the heart of the defence.

Meanwhile, Henriques remains unable to call upon the services of newly-signed midfielder Nikola Jambor, who is yet to make debut due to a long-term injury that has kept him out of action since January.

The Croatian is joined on the Moreirense injury table by 24-year-old midfielder Jefferson Galego, who sustained an injury in their Primeira Liga curtain-raiser against Benfica back in August.

Despite his side's early struggles, Andre Luis has been in fine goalscoring form for Os verdes e brancos, netting in each of the last two games to take his tally to three for the season and the 27-year-old could be rewarded with his first starting appearance.

Porto possible starting lineup:

Costa; Mario, Mbemba, Pepe, Marcano; Otavio, Uribe, Oliveira, Diaz; Corona, Taremi

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Pasinato; Jorge, Vitoria, Rosic; Ramos, Pacheco, Soares, Conte; Santos, Martins, Luis

We say: Porto 3-1 Moreirense

After holding out for a draw against Sporting Lisbon last weekend, Porto will be seeking an immediate return to winning ways. Meanwhile, Moreirense have struggled to make their mark this season and we expect them to take the game to the hosts and put up a valiant fight. However, we anticipate Porto will come out victorious as they boast a significantly stronger crop of players capable of claiming all three points unscathed.