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NederlandFresh off the back of progressing to the round of 16 of the Europa League, Porto return to the Primeira Liga where they play host to Gil Vicente at the Estadio do Dragao on Sunday.
The Gilistas, who are unbeaten since the turn of the year, head into the game as one of the most in-form sides in the division and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Match preview
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Having picked up a 2-1 win back in Portugal, Porto got the job done against Italian outfit Lazio in the second leg last Thursday when they claimed a 2-2 draw to progress to the round of 16 of the Europa League.
After falling behind to Ciro Immobile's 19th minute opener, Mehdi Taremi and Mateus Uribe scored to turn the game around before substitute Danilo Cataldi levelled matters in the 94th minute.
Porto now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga where they returned to winning ways in their most recent outing when they saw off Moreirense 1-0 courtesy of Evanilson's 40th-minute strike.
Prior to that, Sergio Conceicao's men were held to a 2-2 draw by rivals and reigning champions Sporting Lisbon on February 11 which saw their 11-game winning streak come to an end.
With 63 points from 23 games, Porto currently sit at the summit of the Primeira Liga standings with a healthy six-point lead over second-placed Sporting Lisbon.
Their fine league form has been owing to the solid job done at both ends of the pitch as they boast the second-meanest defensive record with just 15 goals conceded, while they have scored an impressive 58 in attack.
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Meanwhile, Gil Vicente maintained their fine run of results last time out when they claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory over rock-bottom Belenenses at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.
Off the back of an uneventful first half, the game sprung to life in the 68th minute when Juan Calero broke the deadlock before substitute Elder Santana made sure of the result 10 minutes later.
The Gilistas are now unbeaten in each of their last eight games — their longest run without a defeat since 2019 — claiming six wins and two draws since December's 3-0 loss against Sporting Lisbon.
Ricardo Soares's side's upturn in form has been down to their fine performance on the road, where they have picked up 22 points from 11 games and are unbeaten in nine straight outings, stretching back to a 1-0 defeat at Santa Clara in round four of the Primeira Liga on August 29.
Gil Vicente have strengthened their position in the top half of the league table as they sit in fifth place with 40 points from 23 games, four points off fourth-placed Braga and 10 above Vitoria de Guimaraes outside the Conference League qualification spot.
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Team News
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Conceicao remains unable to call upon the services of Wilson Manafa after the Portuguese defender picked up a leg injury in the game against rivals Benfica on December 31.
Former Liverpool man Marko Grujic will also play no part in Sunday's game as he serves a one-match suspension for receiving his marching orders against Moreirense.
With his goal and assist in midweek, Mehdi Taremi has now been involved in 11 goals in his last 11 games across all competitions and we expect the 29-year-old to lead the attack once again.
Meanwhile, Andrew should once again start in goal for the Gilistas as first-choice goalkeeper Ziga Frelih continues his spell on the sidelines after picking up an injury against Portimonense on January 23,
Murilo de Souza is also out of contention for Gil Vicente after coming off with an Achilles tendon injury in the game against Boavista on January 15.
Sunday's visitors will also make do with the absence of Brazilian midfielder Joao Afonso, who has been out of action since last April through a severe injury.
Porto possible starting lineup:
D Costa; B Costa, Pepe, Mbemba, Sanusi; Vitinha, Uribe, Otavio, Pepe; Evanilson, Martinez
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Carlos, Cunha, Fernandes, Talocha; Carvalho, Pedrinho, Fujimoto; Leautey, Calero, Lino
We say: Porto 2-1 Gil Vicente
Sunday's game sees two of the most in-form sides in the Portuguese Primeira Liga square off and this makes for an exciting watch. While we expect the Gilistas to push the hosts to the limit, we predict Porto will come away with all three points given they boast a significantly superior and more experienced crop of players.
