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

Fresh off the back of a victory over Italian powerhouse AC Milan in the Champions League, Porto take a trip to the Estadio Joao Cardoso to face Tondela on Saturday.

The hosts, on the other hand, head into the game on an impressive three-game winning streak and will be seeking to kick on and move into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings.

Match preview

© Reuters

Porto picked up their first Champions League victory last Tuesday as they saw off Italian outfit AC Milan 1-0 when the sides squared off in Portugal.

Following a goalless first half, Luis Diaz continued his fine display in front of goal this season as he netted the only goal of the game five minutes after the hour mark to condemn the Rossoneri to their third consecutive defeat.

This followed an emphatic 5-0 victory over Sintrense, where Sergio Oliveira and Evanilson both scored braces before Toni Martinez completed the rout in the 76th minute to send the Dragoes into the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal.

Porto now return to the Primeira Liga where they have enjoyed a solid start to the season and are on a three-game winning streak, including a 2-1 victory over Pacos de Ferreira in their most recent outing.

Sergio Conceicao's men, who are currently second on the log, are one of just two unbeaten sides in the league this season, picking up six wins and two draws in that time.

This fine run of results has been down to their solid all-round performance as they boast the second-best attacking record in the division with 18 goals scored, while shipping the third fewest at the opposite end of the pitch with five.

© Reuters

Tondela, on the other hand, continued their recent string of impressive performances last time out when they claimed a 2-1 win over lower-tier side Camacha in the Taca de Portugal.

In an action-packed contest, Ruben Fonseca and Gabriel Fraga scored for either side in the opening five minutes to end the first half level before former Benfica man Salvador Agra netted a dramatic winner with the final kick of the game in the 98th minute.

Pako Ayestaran's men have now won each of their most recent three games in all competitions as they claimed a 3-2 win over Famalicao on September 25 to end their five-game losing streak before beating Belenenses 2-0 in their previous two outings.

This impressive turnaround has seen the CDT Auriverdes rise to 10th place in the Primeira Liga standings and this has been owing to their fine display at the attacking end of the pitch where they have netted seven goals in their last three games.

While they will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling and strengthen their position in the top half of the table, next up is an opposing side who have won each of the most recent 10 encounters between the sides, dating back to a goalless draw back in September 2016.

Team News

© Reuters

Portuguese youngster Jota Goncalves remains out of contention for Tondela after the 21-year-old came off with a knee problem midway through the game against Estoril Praia on September 13.

With four-goal involvements in his last three outings, Jhon Murillo has been pivotal in the CDT Auriverdes' resurgence and we expect the 26-year-old to team up with Renat Dadasov and Agra in attack.

Porto, meanwhile, will take to the pitch without the services of Brazilian full-back Wendell, who continues to battle with a knee injury he picked up against Pacos de Ferreira three weeks ago.

The Dragoes will also have to cope without Mehdi Taremi, who has four goals and one assist under his belt this season, after the 29-year-old picked up a red card in the aforementioned game.

After trudging off the pitch with a 19th-minute injury in Congo DR's World Cup qualification game against Madagascar, Chancel Mbemba missed the cup tie against Sintrense, but the defender made his return from the sidelines last time out as he featured for the full 90 minutes against AC Milan.

Tondela possible starting lineup:
Niasse; Borges, Manu, Khacef, Almeida; Undabarrena, Augusto, Pedro; Murillo, Agra, Dadasov

Porto possible starting lineup:
Marchesin; Corona, Pepe, Mbemba, Sanusi; Otavio, Oliveira, Uribe, Diaz; Martinez, Taremi

We say: Tondela 0-2 Porto

Tondela have enjoyed a rejuvenation in recent weeks and will fancy their chances of ending their poor run against the visitors. However, they face the stern test of going up against a Porto side who are unbeaten in the league since a 3-2 loss against Pacos de Ferreira back in October 2020. We are backing Porto to carry on the momentum from their Champions League win and come away with all three points in this one.