MX23RW : Wednesday, January 27 04:16:22| >> :600:229981:229981:
Dec 20, 2020 at 8pm UK at Estádio do Dragão
PortoPorto
2-0
NacionalNacional
Oliveira (21' pen.), Marega (39')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Pedrao (20'), Azouni (63')

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

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

Porto head into their Primeira Liga encounter against Nacional on Sunday hoping that they can close the gap at the top of the table between themselves and rivals Sporting Lisbon in their quest to retain the title.

Meanwhile, Nacional's 3-1 home defeat against Santa Clara sees them sit seven places above the relegation zone but only three points clear as things stand.


Match preview

Porto head coach Sergio Conceicao pictured on November 3, 2020© Reuters

Since an entertaining 4-3 victory over Tondela at the beginning of this month, Porto have played in three different competitions, winning every match.

Sergio Conceicao has watched his side defeat Olympiacos in their final Champions League group stage match – finishing second behind Manchester City – before victories against Tondela in the Taca de Portugal and Pacos de Ferreira in the Taca da Liga, both by a 2-1 scoreline.

Porto now turn their attention back to the Primeira Liga, where they currently sit in third place, four points behind league leaders Sporting Lisbon.

The Dragoes have an impressive record against this Sunday's opponents, having defeated Nacional in each of their last six encounters by an aggregate score of 24-2.

Another victory this weekend would be their seventh in the league and could move them into second place if Benfica were to drop points against Gil Vicente.

Porto players celebrate scoring against Marseille in the Champions League on November 3, 2020© Reuters

Since their promotion from the second tier, Nacional have had an inconsistent start to life back in the Primeira Liga.

After an unbeaten run of three matches, the Alvinegros have recently suffered back-to-back defeats against Portimonense and Santa Clara.

However, manager Luis Freire was pleased with his side's showing in both those matches and hopes that they can soon be rewarded for their good performances with points on the board.

Nacional have a dreadful record against Porto, last defeating the Dragoes away from home in the 2007-08 season.

The Alvinegros currently sit in 10th place on 10 points but could move as high as seventh if they were to secure a surprise victory on Sunday.

Porto Primeira Liga form: DWLWWW
Porto form (all competitions): WDWWWW

Nacional Primeira Liga form: LDDWLL
Nacional form (all competitions): DDWWLL


Team News

Fabio Vieira warms up for Porto on October 21, 2020© Reuters

Porto's veteran defender Pepe returned to action on Wednesday only to get injured once again, so he will be absent this weekend. Centre-backs Chancel Mbemba and Malang Sarr are likely to start together as a result.

Zaidu Sanusi is a doubt for the match but if fit will be in contention to start at left-back.

Striker Moussa Marega missed out against Pacos de Ferreira in midweek but will likely return to the starting lineup on Sunday.

Fabio Vieira and Romario Baro might have an opportunity to start if Sergio Conceicao decides to ring the changes in midfield, with one eye on next Wednesday's Supertaca Candido de Oliveira final against Benfica.

Nacional duo Kalindi and Ruben Freitas are both doubts for Sunday but if fit will be in contention to start.

Striker Kenji Gorre scored against Santa Clara last time out and may get the nod over Joao Victor in attack.

Porto possible starting lineup:
Marchesin; Manafa, Mbemba, Sarr, Sanusi; Baro, Oliveira, Vieira; Corona, Marega, Nakajima

Nacional possible starting lineup:
Guimaraes; Freitas, Henrique, Kal, Vigario; Koziello, Micael, Alhassan; Gorre, Riascos, Camacho


SM words green background

We say: Porto 3-0 Nacional

Luis Freire knows how difficult the task will be to compete with Porto on Sunday but will hope that a more cautious approach may give them a chance of snatching at least a point. However, the Dragoes are building form and even if they decide to rest a few key players before Wednesday's match with Benfica, they should be able to win comfortably.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 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 2.5:data


ID:427145:cQx

How you voted: Porto vs Nacional

Porto
100%
Draw
0.0%
Nacional
0.0%
18
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Fabio Vieira warms up for Porto on October 21, 2020
Read Next:
Arsenal lining up move for £27m Fabio Vieira?
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Premier League
Championship
Scottish Premiership
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Copa del Rey
Coppa Italia
Taca de Portugal
National League
National League South
Scottish Championship
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Swiss Super League
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Ligue 2
Liga MX
Australian A-League
International Friendlies
Women's Super League
African Nations Championship
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon1512303392439
2Porto15112237172035
3Benfica15103230151533
4Braga1510052415930
5Pacos de FerreiraPacos de Ferreira1584322121028
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes148241913626
7MoreirenseMoreirense154651317-418
8Santa ClaraSanta Clara155371519-418
9Maritimo155281621-517
10Rio AveRio Ave153661118-715
11BelenensesBelenenses15366812-415
12TondelaTondela154381325-1215
13PortimonensePortimonense154381219-715
14Nacional153571320-714
15FamalicaoFamalicao153571626-1014
16Gil Vicente153481017-713
17SC FarenseFarense143381520-512
18BoavistaBoavista151861426-1211

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!