Following their bounce-back victory, Porto aim to build on their momentum in the race for a podium finish when they welcome Famalicao to the Estadio do Dragao in round 30 of the Primeira Liga.
The Dragons delivered the perfect response to their humiliating O Classico defeat against Benfica by grinding out a narrow 1-0 win at Casa Pia, although the outcome did little to alter their place in the standings.
Match preview
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In a clash that offered a shot at redemption after their nightmarish collapse at home, Porto knew only a swift reaction would suffice at Rio Maior, and they found it through teenager Rodrigo Mora, who netted inside five minutes with a stunning solo effort, dancing past defenders with a roulette before calmly slotting into the corner.
Despite securing all three points, the Dragons remain fourth in the table with 59 points from 18 wins, five draws and six losses, trailing third-placed Braga by a single point and sitting 10 adrift of the top two in the Champions League chase.
That result marked a fourth win in six top-flight outings for Martín Anselmi's side, a notable upturn considering they had picked up just one victory in their previous eight matches.
A standout feature of Porto's league run in 2025 has been their defensive backbone, with four of their five wins since the turn of the year coming with clean sheets, though it also underlines how lapses at the back have cost them valuable points.
Next up is a stern test against a free-scoring Famalicao team who have found the net in eight consecutive matches, raising questions over whether the hosts can stitch together back-to-back wins.
Recent meetings between the sides also offer little encouragement for Porto, with the last two encounters ending in stalemates – a 1-1 draw at the Dragao last season followed by a 2-2 result in this campaign's reverse fixture.
However, they will take solace in their dominant record in front of their fans, having won 10 of their 14 such Primeira Liga matches, and they also boast the best home defence in the division, conceding only nine goals – although four of those came in their last appearance at the Dragao.
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Famalicao, meanwhile, carried their impressive form into last weekend, sweeping aside Estoril Praia 3-0 after an emphatic second-half display.
Having gone into the break goalless, Vila Nova shifted gears after the interval as Sorriso opened the scoring three minutes past the hour mark, Vaclav Sejk added a second nine minutes later and Gil Dias wrapped it up in stoppage time.
It was the second time this season that Famalicao have stitched together three straight victories, having also managed the feat in their opening three fixtures before things quickly unravelled.
Indeed, the 16 top-flight games that followed produced just one win, yet Hugo Oliveira's men have since reignited their campaign, securing seven victories in their last 10 matches.
That surge has lifted them to seventh with 43 points, five behind fifth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes, and with five matches left to play, Vila Nova will be eager to snatch something from this Friday's trip as they chase a top-five finish that would mark a historic achievement.
Famalicao's best-ever placing in the top flight is sixth, so breaching that ceiling would represent a milestone in the club's history.
Team News
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Deniz Gul was preferred to Samu Aghehowa in attack last time out and looks set to retain his place following a solid display.
Joao Mario should continue at right wing-back with Martim Fernandes suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Seventeen-year-old Mora is enjoying a scintillating spell, with his goal at Casa Pia making it three decisive strikes in four appearances, and he will be eager to deliver once again.
Midfielders Vasco Sousa and Marko Grujic remain sidelined as they continue their recovery from injury.
The visitors are also dealing with a suspension as right-back Rodrigo Pinheiro misses out for the same disciplinary reason, with Lucas Calegari expected to slot in.
After producing a goal and an assist, Sorriso was the standout performer last weekend and will be pushing to keep his place out wide.
Porto possible starting lineup:
Costa; Marcano, Eustaquio, Pedro; Moura, Varela, Vieira, Mario; Mora, Gul, Borges
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Carevic; Francisco, Mihaj, Haas, Calegari; Looi, Topic; Aranda, Sa, Sorriso; Elisor
We say: Porto 2-1 Famalicao
Porto may boast an imposing home record in the Primeira Liga this season, but their recent outings at the Dragao have been far from convincing, managing just one victory in their last five league games at the ground.
While Famalicao arrive with momentum and could well fancy their chances of snatching a result, the Dragons's top-three ambitions should spur them on to edge this one by the finest of margins.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
