DomainJava.com – Nacional vs Porto prediction in Portugal Primeira match, Porto must continue to capitalize on the poor form of league leaders Sporting Lisbon when they visit Nacional on Friday at the Estadio da Madeira in their 17th Primeira Liga match of the season.
The home team is third-last in 16th place with 13 points and lost 2-1 against Rio Ave on December 29, while Porto are in second place with 40 points but are level on points with Sporting after a 4-0 win against Boavista in December. 28.
The hosts and Rio Ave both produced three big chances in their clash last Sunday, but Rio Ave created 2.05 xG, much more than Nacional’s figure of 0.63 xG.
This defeat means that Nacional occupy the league’s relegation playoff spot and are only one point clear of the two automatic relegation spots at the bottom of the division, but they are level on points, goal difference, goals scored and goals conceded with 15th-placed Farense. .
Manager Tiago Margarido will be concerned that his side’s return of 11 goals scored in the top flight is only bettered by the figures scored by the two clubs, although his side’s record of 23 goals conceded is the ninth-best tally in the league.
The Nationalists are in poor form having lost four, drawn two and won just two of their last eight games, and they have actually been beaten in nine of their last 14 games.
Margarido’s side have at least proven tough to beat on home soil, with the club winning three and drawing one of their seven games at the Estadio da Madeira, and it’s worth noting that two of their three defeats came against giants Sporting Lisbon and Benfica.
Their opponents Porto completely outplayed Boavista on Saturday as they generated seven big chances while preventing their opponents from creating a single one.
Head coach Vitor Bruno will be pleased that his side have so far managed to capitalize on the fact that Sporting have dropped eight points in their last five league games, with his side picking up 13 points in that time.
The Dragons were outstanding at both ends of the pitch, with the future champions scoring 40 goals and conceding just nine in the league, and this was the second best offensive record and joint best defense in the league.
While the visitors have failed to win just three of their last seven away games in the league, they have lost three, drawn two and won just one of their last six away games in all competitions.
Porto’s record against the hosts on Friday is impressive considering they have won 18 of their 22 games, with Nacional’s last win coming in March 2014.
The home team could be forced to play Rui Encarnacao in goal due to Lucas Franca’s injury last time out.
Encarnacao may be protected by a back four consisting of Gustavo Garcia, Ulisses, Leo Santos and Jose Gomes.
Djibril Soumare and Luis Esteves are the most likely candidates to play together in midfield, while attacking midfielder Bruno Costa is likely to support striker Isaac.
Porto will be without midfielder Nico Gonzalez, who is suspended, and Marko Grujic due to injury.
Vasco Sousa and Stephen Eustaquio can appear as a double pivot behind attacking midfielder Rodrigo Mora.
Left-backs Francisco Moura and Wendell are both absent, so Wenderson Galeno is expected to play in a back four alongside Martim Fernandes, Nehuen Perez and Otavio.
(source: Sportsmole)
Nacional vs Porto Player Predictions
National: Encarnacao; Garcia, Ulisses, Santos, Gomes; Soumare, Esteves; Aurelio, Costa, Dudu; Isaac
Porto: Coast; Fernandes, Perez, Otavio, Galeno; SOUZA, Eustaquio; VIEIRA, Mora, Pepe; Aghehowa
Nacional vs Porto Score Prediction: 1-2
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