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

The Vizelenses, who are making just their second appearance in the cup, have picked up two points from their opening two matches and must claim all three points to keep their hopes of a first-ever knockout-stage appearance alive.

Match preview

Porto got their Taca da Liga campaign back on track last Thursday as they secured a 2-0 victory over Chaves.

Danny Loader turned in a man-of-the-match performance at the Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira as the former Reading striker grabbed a second-half brace to hand the Dragoes a comfortable win.

This followed a somewhat disappointing 2-2 draw against Segunda Liga side Mafra in their cup curtain-raiser on November 25 which saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.

Porto, who are currently top of Group A with four points from a possible six, head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last eight matches across all competitions, claiming six wins and two draws.

This solid run has also seen Sergio Conceicao's side rise to second place in the Primeira Liga table with 29 points from 13 matches, eight points adrift of rivals Benfica at the top of the standings.

As for Vizela, a 93rd-minute penalty miss from 23-year-old striker Milutin Osmajic denied them their first victory of the 2022-23 Taca da Liga campaign as they settled for a 1-1 draw in last Monday's clash against Mafra.

In a heated contest at the Estadio Municipal de Mafra, Bruno Wilson netted in the 70th minute to cancel out Ousmane Diomande's first-half opener before Osmajic crashed his late penalty against the woodwork.

Prior to that, Vizela snapped their four-game winless run on November 13 when they claimed a 2-0 victory over Pacos de Ferreira in the Primeira Liga before holding out for a 2-2 draw versus Chaves in their cup opener one week later.

With two points from a possible six, the Vizelenses are currently third in Group A, level on points with second-placed Mafra, but could potentially move top of the pile and into the knockout stages with all three points on Friday.

However, Manuel Tulipa's side must overcome the stern challenge of taking on a star-studded Porto side who have won each of the last four meetings between the teams since December 2021.

Porto Taca da Liga form:

D

W

Porto form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

D

W

Vizela Taca da Liga form:

D

D

Vizela form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

D

D

Team News

Off the back of an inspiring performance against Chaves, Loader could be rewarded with another starting role on Friday, alongside Toni Martinez in the front two.

Wanderson Galeno, Marco Grujic, Mateus Uribe and Pepe should all start in midfield, while we expect an unchanged centre-back pairing of Ivan Marcano and former Rangers man Fabio Cardoso.

On the injury front, Conceicao will be unable to call upon the defensive duo of Gabriel Veron and Zaidu Sanusi, who are currently recuperating from knee and muscle injuries respectively.

Stephen Eustaquio picked up a muscle problem while in action for Canada in their World Cup clash against Croatia on November 27 and the 25-year-old will play no part in this weekend's encounter.

Vizela will take to the pitch without Nigerian youngster Friday Etim, who is currently suspended after picking up a straight red against Mafra last time out.

Having started from the bench in the aforementioned game, Cadiz loanee Osmajic should come into the XI on Friday, teaming up with Nuno Moreira and 26-year-old Samu in the final third.

Porto possible starting lineup:

Ramos; Mario, Cardoso, Marcano, Wendell; Pepe, Uribe, Grujic, Galeno; Namaso, Martínez

Vizela possible starting lineup:

Buntic; Juliao, Wilson, Anderson, Afonso; Guzzo, Claudemir; Mendez, Samu, Moreira; Osmajic

We say: Porto 3-0 Vizela

Looking at past results between the sides, Porto head into the weekend as firm favourites to come away with the desired results. Vizela have managed just one win in their last seven matches and we are backing the Dragoes to continue their fine run of results by claiming all three points.

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