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

Both sides eased through their semi-finals seeing off Mafra and Sporting Lisbon respectively and will now look to keep the juggernaut rolling and close out the season with the domestic cup title in their cabinet.

Match preview

League champions Porto wrapped up their 2021-22 Primeira Liga campaign in style as they cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Estoril Praia at the Estadio do Dragao.

Following a drab first half, an own goal from Joaozinho three minutes into the second period saw the hosts go ahead before Fernando Andrade put the results beyond reach with an 88th-minutes strike.

Porto, who have won each of their last three outings, will now be eyeing an impressive domestic double as they turn their attention to the Taca de Portugal where they have enjoyed a seamless run to the final.

Sergio Conceicao's men, who kicked off their cup run with a comfortable 3-0 victory over rivals Benfica, saw off Vizela 3-1 in the quarter-finals on January 12, before edging out Sporting Lisbon 3-1 over two legs in the semi-finals.

The Dragoes will now look to draw the curtain on their season on a high and secure their 18th Taca de Portugal title and a first since 2020, when they claimed a 2-1 victory over Benfica in the final.

Tondela, on the other hand, will be kicking themselves as their automatic relegation to the second tier was confirmed on the final match day, when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Boavista last time out.

Needing all three points to secure safety, Madibo Sagnam and Joao Pedro put the CDT Auriverdes ahead in the Estadio Joao Cardoso, but Kenji Gorre and Yusupha Njie restored parity on each occasion to force a share of the spoils.

Tondela will now look to quickly move on from that disappointment as they turn their attention to the Taca de Portugal where they will be looking to pick up a first title triumph in their 89-year history.

Nuno Campos's side, who claimed a 2-1 victory over Camacha in their cup opener on October 16 have cruised through to the final, brushing aside Leixoes, Estoril Praia and Rio Ave before securing a 4-1 aggregate win over Mafra in their two-legged semi-final clash.

However, Tondela head into the weekend on a run of seven games without a win across all competitions, picking up four draws and losing three since a 3-1 victory away to Maritimo on April 3.

While they will look to end this dry spell and make history on Sunday, standing in their way is a rampant opposing side who have won each of the last 12 meetings between the teams, stretching back to a goalless draw back in 2016.

Tondela Taca de Portugal form:

Tondela form (all competitions):

Porto Taca de Portugal form:

Porto form (all competitions):

Team News

Conceicao will be pleased to have a full strength squad at his disposal as Porto head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns.

With 20 goals and 12 assists to his name in the Primeira Liga, Mehdi Taremi was pivotal in the Dragoes' league title run and we expect the 29-year-old forward to spearhead the attack once again.

He should be joined in the final third by Evanilson and Fabio Viera, while we should see a three-man midfield of Vitinha, Marko Grujic and 27-year-old Otavio.

At the defensive end of the pitch, Zaidu Sanusi, Pepe, Chancel Mbemba and Joao Mario should form the defence line, shielding 22-year-old goalkeeper Diogo Costa between the sticks.

French defender Sagnan is a doubt for Tondela after the Real Sociedad loanee came off injured midway through the game against Boavista last Saturday.

Should he fail to shake off his injury, 32-year-old Brazilian Bebeto could come into the fold, teaming up for Manu and Eduardo Quaresma in Campos's preferred three-man defence line.

Pedro and Portuguese forward Salvador Agra both finished the Primeira Liga campaign with 10 goal involvements and we expect to see the duo leading the attack on Sunday.

Tondela possible starting lineup:

Costa; Sanusi, Pepe, Mbemba, Mario; Vitinha, Grujic, Otavio; Vieira, Evanilson, Taremi

Porto possible starting lineup:

Trigueira; Quaresma, Manu, Bebeto; Borges, Augusto, Undabarrena, Barbosa; Pedro, Agra, Dadasov

We say: Tondela 0-3 Porto

Still licking their wounds following their relegation, Tondela will head into the weekend seeking to restore some pride and pick up their first cup title. However, they have lost each of their last 12 games against Porto, while managing just one win in their last 15 encounters. Looking at the gulf in quality and experience between the sides, we are tipping Porto to come away with a comfortable win and clinch the title on Sunday.

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