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Primeira Liga | Gameweek 10
Dec 20, 2020 at 8pm UK
Estádio do Dragão
N

Porto
2 - 0
Nacional

Oliveira (21' pen.), Marega (39')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Pedrao (20'), Azouni (63')

Preview: Porto vs. Nacional - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Porto vs. Nacional - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:427145: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Primeira Liga clash between Porto and Nacional, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Porto head into their Primeira Liga encounter against Nacional on Sunday hoping that they can close the gap at the top of the table between themselves and rivals Sporting Lisbon in their quest to retain the title.

Meanwhile, Nacional's 3-1 home defeat against Santa Clara sees them sit seven places above the relegation zone but only three points clear as things stand.


Match preview

Since an entertaining 4-3 victory over Tondela at the beginning of this month, Porto have played in three different competitions, winning every match.

Sergio Conceicao has watched his side defeat Olympiacos in their final Champions League group stage match – finishing second behind Manchester City – before victories against Tondela in the Taca de Portugal and Pacos de Ferreira in the Taca da Liga, both by a 2-1 scoreline.

Porto now turn their attention back to the Primeira Liga, where they currently sit in third place, four points behind league leaders Sporting Lisbon.

The Dragoes have an impressive record against this Sunday's opponents, having defeated Nacional in each of their last six encounters by an aggregate score of 24-2.

Another victory this weekend would be their seventh in the league and could move them into second place if Benfica were to drop points against Gil Vicente.

Since their promotion from the second tier, Nacional have had an inconsistent start to life back in the Primeira Liga.

After an unbeaten run of three matches, the Alvinegros have recently suffered back-to-back defeats against Portimonense and Santa Clara.

However, manager Luis Freire was pleased with his side's showing in both those matches and hopes that they can soon be rewarded for their good performances with points on the board.

Nacional have a dreadful record against Porto, last defeating the Dragoes away from home in the 2007-08 season.

The Alvinegros currently sit in 10th place on 10 points but could move as high as seventh if they were to secure a surprise victory on Sunday.

Porto Primeira Liga form: DWLWWW
Porto form (all competitions): WDWWWW

Nacional Primeira Liga form: LDDWLL
Nacional form (all competitions): DDWWLL


Team News

Porto's veteran defender Pepe returned to action on Wednesday only to get injured once again, so he will be absent this weekend. Centre-backs Chancel Mbemba and Malang Sarr are likely to start together as a result.

Zaidu Sanusi is a doubt for the match but if fit will be in contention to start at left-back.

Striker Moussa Marega missed out against Pacos de Ferreira in midweek but will likely return to the starting lineup on Sunday.

Fabio Vieira and Romario Baro might have an opportunity to start if Sergio Conceicao decides to ring the changes in midfield, with one eye on next Wednesday's Supertaca Candido de Oliveira final against Benfica.

Nacional duo Kalindi and Ruben Freitas are both doubts for Sunday but if fit will be in contention to start.

Striker Kenji Gorre scored against Santa Clara last time out and may get the nod over Joao Victor in attack.

Porto possible starting lineup:
Marchesin; Manafa, Mbemba, Sarr, Sanusi; Baro, Oliveira, Vieira; Corona, Marega, Nakajima

Nacional possible starting lineup:
Guimaraes; Freitas, Henrique, Kal, Vigario; Koziello, Micael, Alhassan; Gorre, Riascos, Camacho


We say: Porto 3-0 Nacional

Luis Freire knows how difficult the task will be to compete with Porto on Sunday but will hope that a more cautious approach may give them a chance of snatching at least a point. However, the Dragoes are building form and even if they decide to rest a few key players before Wednesday's match with Benfica, they should be able to win comfortably.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data




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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon30262287276080
2Benfica30234368244473
3Porto30195655243162
4Braga30195663412262
5Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes30176745321357
6AroucaArouca301351251401144
7MoreirenseMoreirense30127113034-443
8FamalicaoFamalicao30812103338-536
9Casa Pia3088143043-1332
10SC FarenseFarense3087153944-531
11Rio AveRio Ave3051693238-631
12Gil Vicente3087153748-1131
13BoavistaBoavista3079143556-2130
14Estoril PraiaEstoril3086164552-730
15Estrela Amadora30611133246-1429
16PortimonensePortimonense3077163464-3028
17ChavesChaves3058173062-3223
18Vizela3049172962-3321
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