Verdict: Home win by more than one goal
Best odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: bet365
The Protuguese Primeira Liga is another national league that has made a successful comeback after the world-wide break in sports caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. And in the 26th round of the 2019/20 season which comes up next, FC Porto are set to welcome Maritimo to the Estadio Dragao on Wednesday evening.
FC Porto
Having suffered Benfica to beat them to the title by two points last time around, Porto are still very much in the same boat with the same rival again. The two teams top the table together at the moment with 60 points each, though Benfica are actually in front on goal-difference. There is really very little chance for anyone else to grab the title this term, with SC Braga sitting third with no more than 46 points to their name.
Given that only one round has been played after the three-month break, very little can be grasped from observing the form the teams have shown; because they haven’t actually shown it. Porto suffered a disappointment and a setback at the restart, having lost by 2-1 to Famalicao. Their last six league results, for what it’s worth, were four wins (including a triumph over Benfica back in February), one draw, and the said defeat to fifth-place Famalicao.
They’ve been knocked out of the Europa League at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen, registering defeats in both legs of the round of 32 tie against the Bundesliga side.
Team News
Manager Sergio Conceicao won’t be able to call upon defender Ivan Marcano, who is out with an injury. Winger Shoya Nakajima also won’t be playing in this match, due to personal issues he is reportedly dealing with. However, in-demand left-back Alex Telles is now back in contention having served a one-match ban.
Maritimo
Maritimo, on the other hand, are deeply involved in the relegation battle. At the moment, they sit 15th with 25 points, outside of the two-club danger zone by six, which represents the gap between them and 17th-place Portimonense. Pacos Ferreira are in exactly the same situation in 16th, with Tondela in 14th doing one point better. Belenenses, Vitoria Setubal and Boavista can consider themselves relatively safe with 29.
As for their form, Maritimo came back from the break with a 1-1 draw against Vitoria Setubal, and their total tally from the previous six league matches reads one wiin, two draws, and three defeats.
Team News
Coach Jose Gomes will be without the services of attacking midfielder Jorge Correa and striker Rodrigo Pinho. Both players picked up a fifth yellow card of the campaign and are therefore suspended. However, Gomes will be able to welcome Joel Tagueu and Edgar Costa, who served their own respective bans in the previous round and would incidentally be obvious replacements for Correa and Pinho.
Conclusion
Having dropped all three points in the previous round, Porto will be determined to forget about that slip and move on towards the finish line, lest Benfica’s lead in the table grows to more than just goal-difference. And if they put their mind and hearts to the task, there shouldn’t be much Maritimo would be able to do to stop them from keeping all three points at the Dragao.
Verdict: Home win by more than one goal
Best odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: bet365
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