Porto vs Farense Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Porto vs Farense on and what time does it start? Porto vs Farense will take place on Sunday 20th August, 2023 – 18:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Porto vs Farense? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Porto vs Farense on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Porto vs Farense in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
PORTO
After losing the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira before the Primeira Liga season began, Sergio Conceicao’s side would have headed into this season thinking they may well be playing second fiddle to Benfica once again, after they finished second behind the Lisbon club in the 2022/23 Primeira Liga campaign. However, that is now how the opening weekend of the season went.
Porto went away to newly-promoted Moreirense, who are expected to perform relatively well towards the middle-of-the-table with an attractive style of football, and won by two goals to one. They did fall behind in that match but goals from Toni Martinez and Wendell, who was eventually sent off in second-half stoppage-time, gave them the victory. To go with that, Benfica surprisingly lost 3-2 to Boavista.
FARENSE
Like Porto’s previous opponents the aforementioned Moreirense, Farense also gained promotion from the second-tier last season. The visitors gained promotion to the top-flight with Vasco Faisca in charge but he departed over the summer and they are now being led into this campaign under the management of Jose Mota, formerly of Pacos de Ferreira who were relegated last season.
The visitors started their return to the Primeira Liga with a 3-0 hammering at the hands of a Casa Pia side that they are seeking to emulate this season. Casa Pia gained promotion in 2022 and then finished comfortably in mid-table last season, flirting with a run towards the top six for much of it. That loss, though, was comprehensive from start to finish with Clayton opening the scoring in the 15th minute and then the third being scored in the 90th.
THE TEAM NEWS
PORTO
Sergio Conceicao does have a headache created by Wendell, who was sent off late in their opening day victory and he will be unavailable for this second match due to suspension. They are also without Evanilson who is their key attacker.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Costa; Joao Mario, Cardoso, Marcano, Sanusi; Eustaquio, Grujic; Otavio, Pepe, Galeno; Taremi
UNAVAILABLE: Wendell (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Evanilson (Injured), Veron (Injured)
FARENSE
Jose Mota has no fresh injuries or suspensions and, despite their loss to Casa Pia last weekend, will be aiming to have some consistency and allow the side to gel so, as a result, an unchanged side is expected for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Velho; Delgado, Silva, Talocha, Muscat; Elves, Falcao, Oliveira, Matias; Isidoro, Costa
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
The home team will expect to be mounting a better title challenge this time around after being so far behind Benfica at various stages throughout last season. Porto have a very strong squad and even without Wendell they can bring in Zaidu Sanusi. They face another newly-promoted side and a newly-promoted side that started very poorly and there are already concerns over the appointment of Jose Mota. A comfortable and probably quite heavy Porto victory is expected on Sunday evening, especially at the Dragao.
TIP: PORTO TO WIN -2 HANDICAP
