Porto go hope say victory over Tondela wey dey fear relegation for Estadio do Dragao dis weekend go help dem extend dia lead for top of Primeira Liga table as season dey enter crucial stage. With five matches remain, Dragons get five-point advantage over Sporting Lisbon wey dey second, even though Sporting get one game wey dem never play. Tondela wey dey 17th position dey four points away from safety zone, but dem get one match wey dem never play pass Nacional wey dey 15th.
Porto continental journey end for Thursday at City Ground, where early red card to Jan Bednarek cost dem. Francesco Farioli men con concede goal from Morgan Gibbs-White deflected shot moments later, make dem lose 1-0 to Nottingham Forest. After losing dat quarter-final tie 2-1 on aggregate, Dragons go dey regret missed chances from first leg at Dragao. Return to familiar ground fit shape dia fortune for coming days.
Porto get one-goal deficit wey dem need overturn for Wednesday when dem go host Sporting for Taca de Portugal semi-final return leg. Sunday match against Tondela dey serve as chance to build rhythm and opportunity to tighten grip on top spot. Blue and Whites dey hope say second-placed Sporting vs third-placed Benfica go favour dem as dem pursue maximum points for dia own matchday 30 encounter. Dem dey chase back-to-back league wins after last weekend 3-1 success at Estoril Praia.
Impressive home record of 11 wins from 14 Primeira Liga matches suggest Farioli men well placed to deliver here. But since dem drop points for dia most recent top-flight outing at Dragao, small caution still dey required. Meanwhile, Tondela collect just 11 points from possible 39 for away matches dis season, no encourage dem for dis tough trip. Dia latest away fixture end with heavy defeat at Vitoria de Guimaraes.
Dat loss happen for Goncalo Feio first game in charge after im replace Cristiano Bacci. But im second outing bring better response as Green and Gold rescue late 2-2 draw against Gil Vicente last weekend. For match wey full late drama, Carlos Eduardo look like im don secure maximum points for Barcelos side with 90th-minute strike. But Joseph Hodge react quickest to im saved penalty to earn Tondela hard-fought share of spoils.
CDT don alternate between draws and defeats across dia last five matches. Dem manage just one victory from dia last 12 outings, raise doubt over Auriverdes ability to claim rare win at Dragao dis weekend. Head-to-head record no encourage dem either, as Tondela lose each of last 15 meetings between both sides. Dem fail score for 10 of dose encounters, including 2-0 defeat for dis season reverse fixture.
Porto go remain without attacking duo Luuk de Jong and Samu Aghehowa, both wey dey sidelined for rest of season with knee injuries. Defender Nehuen Perez still dey work im way back from Achilles tendon issue wey don keep am out for much of campaign. Right-back Martim Fernandes set to miss fourth straight match through physical discomfort.
Bednarek red card for midweek no apply for domestic matches, so centre-back fit return to lineup here. Im fit partner fellow Polish international Jakub Kiwior at heart of defence. Meanwhile, Deniz Gul dey push for return to starting XI after featuring off bench last time out, which fit make dem prefer am up front to Terem Moffi.
As for Tondela, Brazilian midfielder Cicero go continue im recovery from muscle problem wey don keep am out for last four matches after im suspension on March 1. Nor Maviram fit miss second straight outing. For disciplinary front, Bebeto no go play any part on Sunday as im serve one-match ban due to accumulation of bookings.
Rodrigo Conceicao dey return to Estadio do Dragao dis Sunday. Im three-year spell at FC Porto end for summer of 2023, season wey im make 25 appearances for first team. Im first experience abroad follow as im join Swiss side Zurich, where im play 57 matches over two seasons. For winter transfer window, im return to Portugal and sign for Tondela for season and half. Im don already make 14 appearances for Beira side and quickly secure place for starting line-up, playing mainly for left flank.
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