MX23RW : Wednesday, August 25 01:10:50| >> :600:314175:314175:
Aug 22, 2021 at 6pm UK at Estadio dos Barreiros
MaritimoMaritimo
1-1
PortoPorto
Xadas (45+4')
Costa (14'), de Mello Costa (59'), Pelagio (67'), Winck (90+1')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Diaz (35')
Taremi (62')

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

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Primeira Liga clash between Maritimo and Porto, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Porto will look to continue their perfect start to the Primeira Liga campaign on Sunday, when they make the trip to take on Maritimo.

Sergio Conceicao's side have already seen off Belenenses and Famalicao and will look to make it three from three to maintain their spot at the top end of the division.


Match preview

Porto coach Sergio Conceicao pictured on April 7, 2021© Reuters

After a mixed showing last season, eventually finishing one point above the relegation playoff place in 15th spot, Maritimo will have headed into the new campaign with the hopes of a more comfortable finish, but they got off to a disappointing start.

Following their departure from the Taca da Liga in the first round at the hands of Boavista, Julio Velazquez's side kicked off their league campaign with a home clash against Braga, and they were handed a 2-0 defeat.

They stood strong to keep the game goalless until the hour mark, but Raul Silva eventually broke the deadlock for the pre-match favourites before Ricardo Horta quickly added a second to seal the three points.

Os Verde-Rubros made a quick recovery though, picking up a commendable 2-1 away victory over a resolute Belenenses outfit thanks to early goals from Andre Vidigal and Ali Alipour, while they stood firm to see out the victory after Alioune Ndour pulled a goal back for the hosts on the stroke of half time.

They now face another tough test as Porto arrive looking to extend their strong start to the season.

Porto's Antonio Martinez celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates in January 2021© Reuters

Having been prevented from retaining the league title by a strong Sporting Lisbon outfit last year, eventually finishing in second spot, five points off the summit, Porto headed into the new season with the hopes of bringing the trophy back to the Estadio do Dragao.

Sergio Conceicao's men got off to a winning start as Antonio Martinez and Luis Diaz got on the scoresheet in a routine 2-0 home win over Belenenses.

Martinez would again star in their second victory of the season last time out, hitting a first-half brace to put them 2-0 up away against Famalicao.

Riccieli pulled a goal back for the hosts early in the second half, but Os Dragoes ground out a tough win to maintain their perfect record.

They will now look to stretch that to three victories on Sunday, as last season demonstrated that Conceicao's men cannot afford to lose ground on Sporting Lisbon early, with the defending champions also collecting six points from their opening two matches.

Maritimo Primeira Liga form:
  • L
  • W

Maritimo form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • W

Porto Primeira Liga form:
  • W
  • W



Team News

Porto's Otavio pictured in April 2021© Reuters

Maritimo will be without attacker Joel Tagueu and midfielder Stefano Beltrame, as the pair remain out of action through injury.

Having both got on the scoresheet last time out, Ali Alipour and Andre Vidigal will again partner up in attack following the departure of talisman Rodrigo Pinho to Benfica in the summer.

Further back, Velazquez will likely deploy three centre-backs to deal with Porto's attacking threat, and Leo Andrade, Jorge Saenz and Zainadine Junior should be selected to shield Paulo Victor.

Porto's only absentees are midfielder Marko Grujic and first-choice goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin, meaning Diogo Costa will be handed another start between the sticks.

Antonio Martinez will lead the line with confidence, having netted three goals in the opening two games as he takes a more important role this season following the departure of Moussa Marega.

After a serious injury scare at this summer's Copa America, key midfielder Mateus Uribe has made a full recovery and will again feature from the start on Sunday.

Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Junior, Saenz, Andrade; Winck, Xadas, Pelagio, Rossi, Costa; Alipour, Vidigal

Porto possible starting lineup:
D Costa; Mario, Pepe, Mbemba, Manafa; Otavio, B Costa, Uribe, Diaz; Taremi, Martinez


SM words green background

We say: Maritimo 0-2 Porto

Although Maritimo look an improved outfit this season, we see them being brushed aside by a Porto team determined to start the campaign in style with a winning run.

Martinez has stepped into the front line seamlessly, making Os Dragoes a dangerous proposition, while they continue to excel at the back and should have more than enough to return to the Estadio do Dragao with three points.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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How you voted: Maritimo vs Porto

Maritimo
4.5%
Draw
4.5%
Porto
90.9%
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon33007169
2Benfica33006159
3Estoril PraiaEstoril32105147
4Porto32105237
5PortimonensePortimonense32014136
6Braga32016426
7BoavistaBoavista32015326
8Gil Vicente32014226
9Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes31114134
10Maritimo311134-14
11TondelaTondela310245-13
12Pacos de FerreiraPacos de Ferreira310236-33
13AroucaArouca310225-33
14Vizela310228-63
15MoreirenseMoreirense301257-21
16Santa ClaraSanta Clara301227-51
17FamalicaoFamalicao300326-40
18BelenensesBelenenses300316-50
Olympic medal table header
CountryGold medalSilver MedalBronze MedalT
AlgeriaAlgeria 0000
AngolaAngola0000
ArgentinaArgentina0000
AustraliaAustralia0000
AustriaAustria0000
Great BritainGreat Britain0000

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