The Portuguese Primeira Liga returns with a fresh set of thrilling fixtures as high-flying Porto play host to Maritimo at the Estadio do Dragao on Sunday.
This will be the second meeting between the sides this season after the spoils were shared in an exciting 1-1 draw back in August's reverse fixture.
Match preview
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Porto continued their charge for their 30th Primeira Liga title when they claimed a comfortable 3-1 victory over Famalica on home turf last Sunday.
In a game where Matheus Uribe saw red, Otavio, Luis Diaz and Mehdi Taremi all found the target to put the hosts in a commanding three-goal lead before Riccieli grabbed a consolation goal in the 91st minute.
Sergio Conceicao's side have now won each of their last nine games across all competitions, including a 3-1 victory over Vizela on January 12 which saw them secure smooth passage to the semi-finals of the Taca de Portugal.
With 53 points from 19 games, Porto currently sit at the summit of the Primeira Liga standings with a healthy six-point cushion on reigning champions Sporting Lisbon who are currently in second place.
The Dragoes head into Wednesday's game as the only unbeaten side in the league this season, and their fine campaign so far has been owing to the stellar job being done at both ends of the pitch.
Porto currently boast the second-best attacking record in the division with 51 goals scored, while they also hold the second-best record at the opposite end of the pitch with just 13 goals conceded.
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Meanwhile, Maritimo's blistering run took a slight halt last time out when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Belenenses at the Estadio do Maritimo.
In a game where both sides finished with 10 men, Safira made no mistake from 12 yards out as he converted his 13th-minute penalty before Matheus Costa scored on the stroke of half time to force a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Vasco Seabra's men were on a three-game winning streak, seeing off Vizela, Portimonense and Braga respectively, while scoring five goals and keeping two clean sheets.
Maritimo head into Sunday's game unbeaten in all but one of their last eight games, — claiming five wins and two draws — with a 7-1 defeat at the hands of Benfica being the only exception.
While O Maior das Ilha will look to quickly return to winning ways, next up is an opposing side who are unbeaten in 15 of the last 20 meetings between the sides, claiming 11 wins and four draws.
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Team News
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Porto will once again have to make do with the absence of the Portuguese defender Wilson Manafa, who sustained a leg problem midway through the game against Benfica back in December.
He is joined on the club's injury front by fellow countryman and midfielder Joao Mario, who is set to sit out his fifth consecutive game through a muscle injury.
Ivan Marcano is the second defender on the Dragoes injury list as the 34-year-old Spaniard continues his spell on the sidelines after picking up a severe foot injury back in October.
While Uribe will serve his one-match suspension, they will be boosted by the return of full-back Zaidu Sanusi, who is back from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, following Nigeria's exit at the hands of Tunisia.
On the other hand, Maritimo head into the game with several missing players down the spine of the team as the likes of attackers Ricardinho and Tim Soderstrom have both been sidelined through injuries.
Portuguese midfielder Xadas has been out of action since November 7, when he picked up a knee problem against Tondela, while Jorge Saenz missed out through a groin injury.
Joel Tagueu will also play no part in Sunday's game as the 28-year-old is currently suspended after receiving his marching orders in the game against Belenenses last time out, meaning Stefano Beltrame could be handed a starting role.
Porto possible starting lineup:
D Costa; B Costa, Cardoso, Mbemba, Wendell; Oliviera, Uribe; Vieira, Diaz, Corona; Martinez
Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Victor; China, Leo, Junior, Costa; Henrique, Vidigal, Pelagio; Beltrame, Alipour, Costa
We say: Porto 2-0 Maritimo
Porto have simply been outstanding in the Primeira Liga this season and have sounded their name as genuine contenders for the title. Maritimo, meanwhile, appear to have found their groove after a slow start to the season, claiming four wins and one draw from their last six games. We expect a thrilling contest with the hosts coming away with all three points at the sound of the full-time whistle.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Porto win with a probability of 77.69%. A draw had a probability of 14.7% and a win for Maritimo had a probability of 7.6%.
The most likely scoreline for a Porto win was 2-0 with a probability of 13.47%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 3-0 (11.18%) and 1-0 (10.82%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (6.99%), while for a Maritimo win it was 0-1 (2.81%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with an 8.7% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole and our data analysis both correctly predicted that Porto would win this match.
