Porto make the trip to Famalicao on Friday evening looking to extend their winning streak in the Primeira Liga to seven matches.
A five-game run without success has left the home side sitting in 15th position, just one point above the relegation zone.
Match preview
Having won the title by five points last season, Sergio Conceicao would have had high hopes about his side sitting comfortably at the top of the standings at this stage of the campaign.
However, it has taken six successive wins to stay within touching distance of Sporting Lisbon, whose form has ensured that complacency will not be an issue at Porto through to May.
There has been a mix of routine victories and back-and-forth battles with teams whom they should be disposing of with ease, but Conceicao will be satisfied that points are being recorded on a regular basis.
Encouragingly for Conceicao, several players are contributing in the final third, something which has been required, with Moussa Marega struggling for consistency in recent months.
While the pressure remains on the Azuis e Brancos, there will be a feeling that maintaining their current form will eventually result in Sporting suffering their first defeat of the season.
From Famalicao's perspective, the last few months have been a major disappointment after narrowly missing out on qualification for the Europa League.
Joao Pedro Sousa would have expected another push for the top six, but the recent defeat at Tondela has left Famalicao sitting just a point above the relegation zone.
Although the loan addition of Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Ruben Vinagre is a timely boost, it will take a collective effort to see the club move back up the standings.
Despite not conceding more than twice during any of their last five games, Sousa and his players are aware that they will require a season-best performance to nullify the in-form side in the division.
Famalicao Primeira Liga form: WLDDLL
Famalicao form (all competitions): LDLDLL
Porto Primeira Liga form: WWWWWW
Porto form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Team News
Having come off the substitutes' bench to score against Moreirense, Toni Martinez will hope to take the spot of Marega in attack.
Barring any late fitness issues, the remainder of the team could stay the same, resulting in another appearance among the replacements for Chelsea and Liverpool loanees Malang Sarr and Marko Grujic.
With Gil Dias having impressed in the last game, Vinagre may only be selected on the Famalicao substitutes' bench.
Fellow Wolves loanees Bruno Jordao and Leonardo Campana are in contention for a recall to the side, while Dani Morer could start at right-back.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Alves; Morer, Queiros, Babic, Dias; Jaime, Assuncao, Jordao; Lameiras, Campana, Robert
Porto possible starting lineup:
Marchesin; Manafa, Mbemba, Leite, Sanusi; Corona, Oliveira, Uribe, Diaz; Martinez, Tarimi
We say: Famalicao 0-3 Porto
Famalicao have the quality in their ranks to compete with the best teams in Portugal's top flight. However, despite having little to lose in this fixture, we expect Porto to cruise to the three points, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
Top betting tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
