Both seeking to pick up their first win of the 2022-23 Taca da Liga campaign, Chaves and Porto go head to head at the Estádio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira on Thursday.

The Dragoes head into the midweek clash unbeaten in nine consecutive matches against the home side since December 2016 and will look to continue in the same vein.

Match preview

Porto attacker Otavio pictured on October 26, 2022 © Reuters

Chaves were denied a dream start to their Taca da Liga campaign as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Vizela at the Estadio do FC Vizela two Tuesdays ago.

After Friday Etim and Luther Singh scored for either side to end the first half level, Raphael Guzzo put the hosts ahead in the 75th minute before substitute Issah Abass netted in the third minute of stoppage time to force a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Vitor Campelos's men secured a 2-1 victory over Casa Pia in the Primeira Liga on November 13, when Hector Hernandez and Steven Vitoria scored in the final eight minutes to cancel out Joao Nunes's first-half opener and sink Os Gansos.

Chaves, who currently sit eighth in the Primeira Liga table, are unbeaten in four of their last five matches across all competitions — claiming two wins and two draws — with a 5-0 loss to Benfica on October 29 being the exception.

Next up for the Flavienses is the daunting challenge of taking on a Porto side against whom they are on a three-match losing streak and have failed to win any of the last nine meetings between the teams, losing eight and managing one draw since 2016.

Porto's Mehdi Taremi celebrates scoring their second goal on October 12, 2022 © Reuters

Porto, on the other hand, fought back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Segunda Liga outfit CD Mafra at the Estadio do Dragao in their Group A opener two Fridays ago.

In a game where Mattheus received his marching orders, goals from Enca Fati and Guilherme handed the visitors a first-half lead, but Pepe and Toni Martinez found the back of the net in a 22-minute spell to force a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Sergio Conceicao's men were on a run of four consecutive victories across all competitions, including a 4-1 victory over Boavista in the Primeira Liga, where they are currently second in the table with 29 points from 13 matches.

Porto head into Thursday's contest unbeaten in each of their last eight away matches across all competitions, claiming six wins and two draws since a 2-1 loss to La Liga giants Atletico Madrid in the Champions League back in September.

Chaves Taca da Liga form:

Chaves form (all competitions):

Porto Taca da Liga form:

Porto form (all competitions):

Team News

Porto's Zaidu Sanusi celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on October 4, 2022 © Reuters

Campelos will be unable to call upon the duo of Carlos Ponck and Joao Mendes, who picked up red cards in the game against Vizela last time out.

In their absence, Jonny Arriba will push for the midfield role, while 27-year-old Nelson Monte should return to the XI, teaming up with Sandro Cruz, Joao Queiros, and Habib Sylla in the back four.

Abass opened his account for the season with his late leveller against the Vizelenses and the Ghanaian striker could be rewarded with a starting role in attack, alongside Singh and Patrick Fernandes.

Meanwhile, Porto will be without the services of Gabriel Veron and Nigerian full-back Zaidu Sanusi, who are currently recuperating from knee and muscle injuries respectively.

Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio is also out of contention for the midweek clash after sustaining a severe muscle injury while in action for Canada in their World Cup game against Croatia on November 27.

Chaves possible starting lineup:
Vitor; Sylla, Monte, Queiros, Cruz; Obiora, Arriba, Teixeira; Singh, Hernandez, Abass

Porto possible starting lineup:
Ramos; Wendell, Marcano, Cardoso, Pepe; Galeno, Uribe, Franco; Evanilson, Borges, Martinez

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We say: Chaves 0-2 Porto

Porto will be looking to quickly get their cup campaign back on track following their somewhat disappointing result against Mafra. The Dragoes will draw inspiration from their current away form as they have picked up six wins and two draws from their last eight games on the road.

Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, we are backing Porto to claim all three points in this one.

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Top tip

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