Following an abysmal start to the new year, Porto will hope for a turnaround when they make the trip to Gil Vicente in this weekend's round 18 Primera Liga fixture.
The Blue and Whites have lost both of their outings in 2025, suffering a 1-0 defeat against Sporting Lisbon in Taca da Liga semi-final before falling 2-0 to Nacional in the league last weekend.
Match preview
© Imago
Having ended 2024 on a high with four straight victories across all competitions, Porto would have looked to carry that momentum into the new year but saw their aspirations dashed by a League Cup loss to Sporting.
Determined to bounce back from that setback, the Dragons entered last Sunday's Primera Liga encounter with hopes of finishing the gameweek at the top of the standings following Sporting's 4-4 draw against Vitoria de Guimaraes two days earlier.
However, Porto's outing turned out even worse than that of their fellow title contenders, as first-half goals from Dudu and Ze Vitor dealt Andre Villas-Boas's side a major blow, ending their six-game unbeaten streak in the top flight.
That defeat now leaves them in second place on 40 points, one behind Sporting, who currently sit at the summit of the table.
Aiming to respond with a victory as they look to strengthen their title charge, Porto will take confidence from their recent record at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, having won three of their last four visits, though their most recent outing there ended in a 1-1 draw.
Azuis e Brancos have been impressive at both ends of the pitch, with their 40 goals scored, second only to Sporting, while their meagre 11 conceded, leaves them with the joint-second-best defence in the division, and they will hope these numbers work in their favour this weekend.
© Imago
Gil Vicente, on the other hand, extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to six games with a 1-0 victory against Moreirense in Taca de Portugal, securing progression to the next round.
Five of those matches have come in the league, with the Roosters playing out draws in the last three, including a goalless stalemate with Sporting followed by consecutive 1-1 results against Arouca and Rio Ave.
That series of draws leaves them in 11th place on 19 points, four clear of the relegation playoff spot, and they will aim to widen that gap with a positive outcome this weekend.
Having held Porto to a draw in their last encounter at Barcelos, the hosts now aim to avoid defeat in back-to-back home meetings with the Dragons for the first time since 2012.
Team News
© Imago
Sphephelo Sithole remains the only absentee for Vicente as he continues to recover from a ligament injury, with no timeline set for his return.
Manager Bruno Pinheiro is expected to stick with an unchanged starting XI for a third straight league outing, with Jorge Aguirre once again leading the line.
For Porto, Ivan Marcano, sidelined for over a year with an ACL injury, has returned to fitness but remains a doubt for Sunday's clash.
Meanwhile, Francisco Moura, Marko Grujic and Wendell are all ruled out through injury and will play no part in this one.
Nico Gonzalez returns to the squad after missing the last match due to suspension, while Samu Omorodion will look to get back on the scoresheet after drawing a blank in the defeat to Nacional.
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Kazu, Fernandes, Sa, Carlos; Fujimoto, Gbane, Caseres; Mboula, Aguirre, Correia
Porto possible starting lineup:
Costa; Fernandes, Perez, Otavio, Galeno; Gonzalez, Eustaquio; Franco, Mora, Pepe; Omorodion
We say: Gil Vicente 1-2 Porto
Porto will be eager to respond after back-to-back defeats, and their superior firepower should give them the edge.
Vicente have been resilient, but facing a team with one of the league's best defences and the Dragons' strong record at Barcelos makes a narrow away victory the likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
