Porto will be looking to take their Primeira Liga title hunt down to the wire as they lock horns with Famalicao at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Saturday.

With just two games left to play, the Dragoes are currently four points behind first-placed Benfica and will hope that the league leaders drop points in Sunday's Derby de Lisboa clash against Sporting Lisbon.

Match preview

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Famalicao's poor late-season form continued as they played out a goalless draw with Vizela when the sides squared off at the Estadio do FC Vizela last Saturday.

In a game where Leandro Sanca received his marching orders, both sides were guilty of a lack of sting in attack as they failed to tuck home their chances before settling for a share of the spoils.

Joao Pedro Sousa's side have now gone five consecutive games without a win — claiming one draw and losing four — a run which saw them crash out of the Taca de Portugal in the semi-finals courtesy of a 5-3 aggregate loss to Porto.

Last week's failure to beat Vizela also confirmed that Famalicao are no longer mathematically in contention for European football as they sit seven points off Vitoria de Guimaraes in the Europa Conference League playoff places.

While the Vila Nova will be looking to arrest their slump and close out the season strong, next up is a Porto side who have won each of their last seven meetings since a 2-1 loss in June 2020.

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Sergio Conceicao's side held their nerve against a resilient Casa Pia side last Sunday when they mounted a remarkable second-half comeback to edge out the Lisbon outfit 2-1 at the Estadio do Dragao.

After falling behind to Evanilson's first-half own goal, Mehdi Taremi levelled matters in the 56th minute before Danny Namaso completed the comeback in the third minute of stoppage time to keep their slim title hopes alive.

The 2021-22 Portuguese champions have now won their last nine matches across all competitions and are unbeaten in 13 consecutive games, claiming 11 wins and two draws since February's 2-1 defeat against Gil Vicente.

Despite their superb run of form, the Dragoes, who have lost just one league game since October sit four points adrift of first-placed Benfica in the Primeira Liga table with just two games to go.

While Porto need a miracle if they are to retain the league crown, they have already secured their place in next season's Champions League and have a Taca de Portugal final against Braga on the way.

Team News

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Famalicao will take to the pitch without Spezia loanee Sanca, who will serve a one-match suspension after receiving his marching orders against Vizela last weekend.

Venezuela international Jhonder Cadiz was forced off injured inside the opening 10 minutes at the Estadio do FC Vizela and is also out of contention for Saturday's game.

In his absence, experienced striker Rui Fonte could be handed his fourth league start of the season, teaming up with Pablo Felipe and Ivan Jaime in the final third.

Other names on the Vila Nova injury list are Theo Fonseca and Jose Luis Rodriguez, who have been ruled out through ACL and hamstring injuries respectively.

Meanwhile, Porto remain without the services of 23-year-old midfielder Joao Mario, who has missed the last seven matches through a muscle problem.

Barring any late fitness issues, Mario remains the Dragoes' only guaranteed absentee, giving Conceicao the luxury of a relatively full-strength squad at his disposal.

Taremi took his goal tally to 17 in the league with his strike against Casa Pia and the 30-year-old, who is one goal behind Goncalo Ramos in the race for the Golden Boot, will be one to keep an eye on.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Otavio, Moura; Rodrigues, Youssouf, Colombatto; Jaime, Fonte, Felipe

Porto possible starting lineup:
Costa; Pepe, Pepe, Cardoso, Wendell; Franco, Eustáquio, Uribe, Galeno; Evanilson, Taremi

We say: Famalicao 0-2 Porto

Porto will be licking their lips as they take on an out-of-sorts Famalicao side who have suffered a disappointing late-season form. The Dragoes are currently firing on all cylinders as they have their eyes on the prize and we are backing them to pick up their 10th straight win since the start of April.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Joshua Ojele

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