Fresh off the back of a dramatic defeat against Atletico Madrid in their Champions League group opener, Porto play host to Chaves in round six of the Primeira Liga on Saturday.
The newly-promoted, who head to the Estadio do Dragao on a run of four consecutive games without defeat, will be looking to cause an upset and pick up a third consecutive league win away from home.
Match preview
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Porto were denied a dream start to their 2022-23 Champions League campaign as they fell to a late 2-1 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid in Group B on Wednesday.
In a game where Mehdi Taremi received his marching orders, Mario Hermoso and Antoine Griezmann scored either side of Matheus Uribe's equaliser in a frenetic 11-minute stoppage time as the Spanish outfit picked up all three points at Wanda Metropolitano.
Sergio Conceicao's side now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they returned to winning ways last Saturday when they saw off Gil Vicente 2-0 at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.
Prior to that, the league champions suffered a shock 3-1 defeat against newly-promoted Rio Ave on August 28 which saw their run of six consecutive victories in the Primeira Liga come to an end.
With 12 points from their opening five games, Porto are currently third in the league standings, three points adrift of rivals Benfica, who hold a two-point lead at the top of the pile with a 100% record this season.
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Chaves, on the other hand, had to settle for a share of the spoils as they were held to a 1-1 draw by fellow newcomers Casa Pia when the sides squared off last Monday.
In a cagey affair at the Municipal Stadium Engineer Manuel Teixeira Branco, Hector Hernandez put the hosts ahead shortly after the half-hour mark, but substitute Leonardo Luiz netted on the 90th-minute mark to hand the visitors a hard-earned point.
Vitor Campelos's men are are now unbeaten in each of their last four games, picking up two wins and two draws since kicking off their top-flight campaign with a 1-0 loss against Vitoria de Guimaraes on August 7.
The Flavienses, who claimed a 2-1 aggregate victory over Moreirense in the promotion playoffs back in May, are currently sixth in the Primeira Liga standings, level on eight points with seventh-placed Casa Pia.
While Chaves will look to maintain their early form and strengthen their position in the top half of the table, next up is the stern challenge of facing a Porto side who are unbeaten in their last eight meetings, claiming seven wins and one draw since a penalty shootout loss in the Taca de Portugal back in 2016.
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Team News
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Porto will take to the pitch without the services of 27-year-old midfielder Otavio, who was forced off injured in the 77th minute against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
In his absence, Bruno Costa will push for his second start of the season, potentially teaming up with Uribe, Stephen Eustaquio and Wenderson Galeno in the midfield four.
Another name on the Drageos' injury list is Portuguese Wilson Manafa after the 28-year-old defender came off with a patella rupture injury last December.
As far as Chaves are concerned, 26-year-old goalkeeper Rodrigo Moura will play no part in this weekend's matchup after coming off with an injury back in July.
Nigerian midfielder Nwankwo Obiora was an unused substitute in the game against Rio Ave last weekend after recently returning from an injury layoff and the 31-year-old could return to the starting XI this weekend.
Porto possible starting lineup:
D Costa; Mario, Pepe, Marcano, Wendell; Otavio, Uribe, B Costa; Pepe; Evanilson, Taremi
Chaves possible starting lineup:
Fagundes; Correia, Vitoria, Monte, Langa; Arriba, Obiora, Mendes; Batxi, Hernandez, Sousa
We say: Porto 3-0 Chaves
While Chaves will look to maintain their solid run of results, they take on a Porto side who will be looking to make an immediate positive response to their Champions League defeat. The Dragoes have turned their home ground into a fortress, winning each of their last 12 games in front of their fans, and we are backing them to continue in the same vein and extend their dominance over the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
