Preview:Gil Vicente vs Porto - prediction, team news, lineups

Fresh off victories in their respective Primeira Liga openers, Gil Vicente and Porto will go head-to-head at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Monday in the second round of action.

The Roosters came away with an impressive triumph at Nacional last weekend, while the Blue and White thrilled the home crowd at Estadio do Dragao with an emphatic win over Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Match preview

Porto endured an underwhelming campaign last season, only managing to clinch third place after Benfica’s late collapse and their own burst of three straight wins to close the campaign.

Last weekend’s 3-0 victory over Vitoria not only continued that end-of-season surge into the new term but also handed Francesco Farioli a perfect beginning to life in charge of the Dragons.

The Italian’s arrival comes at a significant juncture for Porto, who are eager to re-establish themselves as title contenders, having faltered both domestically and abroad with a group-stage elimination at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Dragons have not lifted the league crown since 2021-22, and a flawless run in the early stage of this campaign would inject belief back into the camp, though their last visit to Barcelos ended on a sour note.

Indeed, Gil Vicente stunned Porto with a 3-1 win on this ground in their most recent meeting, and with confidence high after their opening success, Cesar Peixoto’s side have every reason to be optimistic heading into Monday’s fixture.

Peixoto’s men were sharp at Nacional, striking first through Pablo in the 34th minute before Luis Esteves added a second just before half-time to secure a well-earned victory.

While sitting sixth after just one game is far too early to talk of Europe, the Roosters could use such a result as a springboard to a stronger campaign, having languished in the lower reaches of the table in recent years, including last season’s 13th-place finish.

That said, Gil Vicente were not particularly imposing at the Barcelos in 2024-25, suffering seven defeats from 17 league outings (W5, D5), so Galos will need to raise their level as they welcome Porto for their first home clash of the season.

Gil Vicente Primeira Liga form:

Gil Vicente form (all competitions):

Porto Primeira Liga form:

Porto form (all competitions):

Team News

With Carlos Eduardo sidelined, Pablo is expected to spearhead the attack once again for Gil Vicente, while Esteves, fresh from finding the net, should retain his role in the number 10 position.

Hevertton Santos remains a doubt after limping off against Nacional, and Tidjany Toure is also battling fitness concerns ahead of this encounter.

Porto too were hit by injury trouble in their curtain raiser, with Martim Fernandes forced off and ruled out for the coming weeks, paving the way for Zaidu Sanusi to step into his role.

Samu Aghehowa, who struck twice against Vitoria, should carry plenty of momentum into this one and is expected to keep his place ahead of new signing Luuk de Jong.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Andrew; Konan, Buatu, Elimbi, Santos; Bamba, Caseres; Fernandez, Esteves, Bermejo; Pablo

Porto possible starting lineup:

D Costa; Sanusi, Perez, Bednarek, A Costa; Veiga, Varela, Froholdt; Pepe, Aghehowa, Sainz

We say: Gil Vicente 1-3 Porto

Gil Vicente impressed in their opener and did enjoy success in this fixture last season, but with a renewed sense of drive under Farioli, Porto look primed to take all three points this time.

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