Friday's late kickoff in the Primeira Liga will see Porto make the short trip to Estadio do Bessa Seculo XXI to face off against their city rivals Boavista.
The hosts will start this match in 13th place in the league standings, with 16 points in 15 top-flight matches, while the visitors are in third place with 34 points over the same period.
Match preview
© Reuters
For Boavista, 2023 was a tale of two halves, which began very promisingly with four wins and a draw in their first five league games, which saw them firmly set in the top seven spots in the league table.
However, following the October international break, things have gone pear-shaped for them as they have failed to win any of the last 10 league matches, losing seven and drawing the other three.
The Panthers last match ended in a 1-0 defeat to 14th-placed Gil Vicente and left them uncomfortably close to the drop zone with just four points separating them from Rio Ave, who currently occupy the relegation playoff spot.
Their dismal run of results over the last three months saw former manager Petit leave the club, and interim coach Ricardo Paiva will now need to try and steady the ship, or they could be sucked into the relegation scrap very quickly.
Unfortunately, history suggests that a positive result is unlikely for the Chequered Ones in this match, as they have failed to beat Porto in their last 16 attempts, which includes 15 losses and a solitary draw.
© Reuters
Meanwhile, Porto will be looking to kick off the New Year with a solid performance, and a win in this match will take them to second place in the league standings overnight, with Benfica only scheduled to play on Saturday evening.
Sergio Conceicao's side have recorded 11 wins, one draw and three losses in 15 league games this season and have maintained the second-best defensive record with just 11 goals conceded to date.
The Dragons saw the gap to league leaders Sporting widen to three points when they were beaten by The Lions 2-0 at Estadio Jose Alvalade just before Christmas.
However, that was the only defeat they have conceded in their last five league games and was just their second away loss this term with the first coming against defending champions Benfica back in September.
Nevertheless, all indicators suggest that the Dragons should win this match as they have emerged victorious in each of their last seven visits to this venue and have outscored this opponent by a whopping 43-5 during their unbeaten streak against them.
Team News
© Reuters
Boavista are still without goalkeeper Cesar, who could miss the remainder of the season with a serious cruciate ligament injury. Joao Goncalves will continue between the sticks for the hosts in Cesar's absence.
Other absentees include Augusto Dabo due to injury, while the Nigerian national team have called up defensive duo Chidozie Awaziem and Bruno Onyemaechi for the African Cup of Nations.
Porto will be unable to call on Samuel Portugal (groin), Ivan Marcano (ACL) and Gabriel Veron (Achilles), with all three players currently sidelined through injury. Pepe will be serving the last of his three-match ban in this one.
Mehdi Taremi got the call-up and has departed to represent Iran in the AFC Asian Cup, while Zaidu Sanusi will link up with the Super Eagles ahead of the 2024 AFCON in the Ivory Coast.
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Goncalves; Malheiro, Abascal, Ferreira, Miguel; Vukotic, Reisinho; Morais, Lourenco, Agra; Bozenik
Porto possible starting lineup:
Costa; Mario, Pedro, Cardoso, Wendell; Pepe, Eustaquio, Varela, Franco; Martinez, Evanilson
We say: Boavista 1-3 Porto
Both sides are missing a few key players due to injury, suspension and/or international duty, but the visitors are better equipped to handle the situation. Boavista are without two of their four regular starting defenders, and we feel that they will struggle to contain the Dragons' attack in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
