Santa Clara

vs

FC Porto

Preview

Santa Clara

• Santa Clara have won 1 of their last 5 games (D2, L2) in all competitions and have won 1 of their last 3 at home (D1, L1).
• Vasco Matos’ side are small, compact and well-organised, deploying a 5-4-1 low block out of possession and a 3-4-3 in attack.

FC Porto

• FC Porto have won 5 consecutive games in league and cup, including an away win at FC Alverca and a 2-0 home victory against AVS Futebol SAD.
• New Porto boss Francesco Farioli has clearly instilled a more dynamic, possession-based identity upon the team in the short time he has been at the club, and they have responded with an unbeaten run since his appointment.
• The Dragons play a more fluid 4-3-3, with a focus on structured build-up, overloading the midfield and pressing relentlessly in the final third to win possession back.
• Aghehowa has been in clinical form in front of goal with 10 goals in 15 Primeira Liga appearances and he has scored 4 goals in Porto’s last 5-game winning streak.

Head-to-Head

Key Players

• Aghehowa has been in clinical form in front of goal with 10 goals in 15 Primeira Liga appearances and he has scored 4 goals in Porto’s last 5-game winning streak.
• Santa Clara’s Vinicius is their biggest goal threat with just 4 goals from 12 appearances in the Primeira Liga, and Porto’s attacking line has only bagged 12 goals in their most recent five matches.

Betting Insights

• There is a huge gap in the table between the visitors in the top spot on 46 points after 16 games, and 14th-placed Santa Clara on 16 points from 15.
• Porto should win this game on the balance of form and the recent head-to-head record but there is a bit of a mismatch between the prices available with the Dragons odds-on at 1.54, Santa Clara at 7.8 and the draw at 3.95.
• The Under 2.5 goals market at 1.66 is a strong enough price to tempt, however, as Santa Clara are likely to keep it tight and try to counter Porto.

Prediction