Preview: Porto vs. Vitoria de Guimaraes - prediction, team news, lineups

Two days after it was initially scheduled, Porto will host Vitoria de Guimaraes at Estadio do Dragao in Monday’s Primeira Liga opening clash.

The Dragons’ first fixture of the 2025-26 season was postponed following the sudden passing of former captain and director of football Jorge Costa, who died on August 5, and new head coach Francesco Farioli faces the challenge of lifting the mood around the squad ahead of his maiden competitive match.

Match preview

Several tragedies struck Porto's off-season when former players Diogo Jota and Andre Silva passed away in July, a month before Costa’s death due to a heart attack.

These losses likely cast an emotional shadow over the Dragons, who also faced challenges in their on-pitch preparations for the new season.

The 30-time Portuguese champions' involvement in the 2025 Club World Cup meant pre-season was delayed after their group-stage exit in the United States.

The club's performance in this expanded tournament resulted in Martin Anselmi’s departure, with Farioli now tasked with securing a 31st top-flight title for the Dragoes, who finished the previous campaign in third place, nine points behind reigning champions Sporting Lisbon.

Despite having a shortened pre-season, Farioli's squad have recorded consecutive wins in warm-up matches, beating Twente 2-1 and overcoming Atletico Madrid 1-0 on 3 August, and Portistas hope they can put recent tragedies behind them to start the season strongly.

Those ambitions are quite realistic, especially given Vitoria's poor record against Porto across all competitions.

The away team have lost eight of their last 10 league and cup encounters with the Dragons, highlighting their struggles in this fixture.

However, keen supporters will remember that Vitoria’s only win in this run occurred at the Dragao in April 2024, with a 2-1 victory, while last season's fixture ended in a 1-1 draw in February.

To avoid a third consecutive Primeira Liga defeat in Porto, Os Conquistadores, whose pre-season included six wins, a draw and two losses, aim to start the 2025-26 campaign well under new manager Luis Pinto.

Given their superior match sharpness and Porto’s recent tragedies, the Little Whites, finishing sixth last season, are confident of achieving a third straight positive league result at the Dragao.

Porto friendlies form:

Vitoria de Guimaraes friendlies form:

Team News

Marko Grujic made his return to the Porto squad for the first time since October 2024, playing 25 minutes after a severe hamstring injury; however, he is not expected to start on Monday.

Despite transfer rumours, Samu Aghehowa, who scored 19 league goals in his debut season in Portugal, is likely to lead the attack ahead of new signing Luuk de Jong.

One potential starter among the new signings is Victor Froholdt, who scored the match-winner against Atletico, alongside Gabri Veiga and Alan Varela in midfield.

Vitoria face some injury difficulties, with Oscar Rivas and Samu expected to miss the opener.

Oumar Camara, an 18-year-old acquisition from Paris Saint-Germain's youth setup, scored three times during their warm-up matches and may make his Liga debut on Monday.

Tiago Silva, who led in goals and assists last season with nine goal involvements, is expected to start in midfield for Pinto.

Porto possible starting lineup:

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

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Charles; Borevkovic, Abascal, Nobrega; Felix, Handel, Silva, Mendes; Santos, Oliveira, Camara

We say: Porto 1-1 Vitoria de Guimaraes

While recent results have usually favoured Porto against Vitoria, the visitors have avoided defeat in their last two trips to the Dragao.

Considering the Dragons are comparatively undercooked and are recovering from Jorge Costa’s loss, Os Conquistadores might secure a draw in Monday’s match at Oporto.

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