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

On a nine-game winning streak in the Primeira Liga, Porto square off with Vizela when they take a trip to the Estadio do FC Vizela on Monday.

The visitors head into the game fresh off the back of ending their 10-game winless run and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.

Match preview

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Vizela returned to winning ways in the Primeira Liga in style as they saw off Arouca 4-1 at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca last Monday.

In a thrilling and action-packed first half, Alvaro Pacheco's side raced to a commanding four-goal lead inside the opening 38 minutes thanks to a ninth-minute strike from Samu, an own goal from Abdoulaye Ba and a brace from Guilherme Schettine, before Andre Bukia pulled one back for the hosts in the 55th minute.

While this was a second consecutive defeat for Arouca, it was Vizela's first league victory in 11 outings, stretching back to August 14 when they beat Tondela 2-1 on home turf.

With 13 points from 13 games, Sunday's hosts are currently 10th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with Arouca and Santa Clara, and two points above Famalicao in the relegation playoff spot.

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Meanwhile, Porto picked up their first win in the Taca da Liga last time out when they edged out a resilient Rio Ave side 1-0 at the Estadio do Dragao.

The Segunda Liga outfit put on a defensive show of class for most of the game, but substitute Pepe came up trumps for the hosts as he broke the deadlock with seven minutes remaining on the clock.

Porto now return home where they have kicked-off their quest to unseat reigning champions Sporting Lisbon on a good note as they sit top of the pile with 38 points from 14 games.

Sergio Conceicao's men head into Sunday's game on a blistering run of nine consecutive victories in the league, while they are one of just two sides yet to suffer defeat this term.

Their impressive campaign so far has been owing to their solid display at both ends of the pitch as they boast the division's second-meanest attack with 34 goals scored, while conceding just eight at the defensive end of the pitch.

Team News

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Porto will take to the pitch without the services of Spanish defender Ivan Marcano, who has been out of action for almost two months after picking up a leg problem in October's game against Boavista.

However, they will be boosted by the return of the Portuguese duo of midfielder Francisco Conceicao and goalkeeper Claudio Ramos, who returned from their injury lay-off and featured in the game against Rio Ave last time out.

With 18 league goals between them this season, Luis Diaz and Mehdi Taremi have been pivotal in the Dragoes impressive run and we expect the duo to lead the line once again.

Following the return to full fitness of goalkeeper Ivo and defender Igor Juliao, Vizela head into the game with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns.

Pacheco could name an unchanged XI on Sunday, following his side's stellar display against Arouca last time out, meaning we could see Guilherme Schettine, who has five league goals to his name, spearhead the attack, alongside Kevin Zohi and Kiko Bondoso.

Vizela possible starting lineup:
Costa; Mario, Cardoso, Mbemba, Sanusi; Corona, Vitinha, Uribe, Diaz; Taremi, Evanilson

Porto possible starting lineup:
Charles; Kouao, Aidara, Fernandes, Afonso; Evrard, Claudemir, Guzzo; Moreira, Mendez, Schettine

We say: Vizela 0-2 Porto

Vizela will head into Sunday's game in sky-high spirits having recently ended their run of 10 games without a win. However, next up is an opposing side who have won each of their last nine league outings and are yet to lose a game this term. We predict Porto will come away with all three points on Sunday as they boast a significantly stronger crop of players.

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