Primeira Liga | Gameweek 12

Dec 2, 2024 at 8.45pm UK

Estadio Do Dragao

Portovs.Casa Pia

Match preview

After a fairly smooth transition from Sergio Conceicao to Bruno, Porto's ongoing wobble is the first hiccup under the new head coach, as evidenced by the ongoing four-match winless run.

After losing 2-1 to Lazio in the Europa League, Porto were thrashed 4-1 by Benfica, who are also in the 'Big Three', before the international break. The hiatus hasn't stopped there being more disappointment.

The Dragons were knocked out of the domestic cup by Moreirense (1-2) last weekend, which was the club's third straight loss. Bruno's men also lost their leads at 1-0 and 2-1 in Thursday's 2-2 draw at Anderlecht, with the latter coming with four minutes of the 90 to play.

After four losses on the road in various competitions, the Portistas are hoping that a return to familiar surroundings will give them the boost they need to get back on track and continue their perfect home Liga record this season. Only Benfica (six wins from six) and Sporting (five wins from five) have matched Bruno's men.

The home team has gone five unbeaten in this fixture, including an ongoing sequence of three consecutive victories. They hope home comforts will inspire a seventh league triumph at the Dragao on Monday.

Bruno's side could be third in the standings when they kick off on Monday, with Sporting favourites to beat Santa Clara and Benfica, who are two points behind.

It'll be interesting to see if Casa Pia make the most of their hosts' tricky run of form, even if those results haven't been at the Dragao.

Despite not winning any of their recent games against the big teams, the Lisbon team are going into Monday night's game looking for their sixth game in a row without losing. They've already won two Taca de Portugal games against Amora (5-0) and Chaves (3-0).

Casa Pia's recent draws against Rio Ave (2-2) and Farense (1-1) show a pattern emerging. João Pereira's team have been on a roll against weaker opponents, but they've had a tougher time beating fellow top-tier clubs.

Casa Pia are facing another tough away game against a top-tier opponent after losing to Benfica (0-3) and Sporting (0-2) away from home this season.

Given their 1-2-2 record in away matches this season, the travelling support may be heading into round 12's visit to the Dragao with a bit of trepidation rather than any real expectation.

Recent Performance

Porto Primeira Liga form:WWWWWL

Porto form (all competitions):WWLLLD

Casa Pia Primeira Liga form:DDLWDD

Casa Pia form (all competitions):LWWDDW

Team News

After netting one goal in the last six appearances, the Dragons will be hoping Samu Aghehowa returns to form and adds to his eight Liga goals.

It'd be great to see more deliveries from Francisco Moura and Martim Fernandes in the full-back positions. Both wide defenders have supplied four goals each this term, so they're definitely worth considering.

Unfortunately, Marko Grujic and Deniz Gul are out with injuries, and we'll have to wait and see if Stephen Eustaquio can play after he was a late withdrawal at Anderlecht.

It looks like Claudio Mendes and Kiki won't be playing for Casa Pia on Monday because of injury problems.

Cassiano and Nuno Moreira are the only ones who've scored more than once for the away side this season, with four and two goals respectively. The forwards are hoping to add to their tallies at the Dragao.

Possible starting lineup

Porto possible starting lineup:

Costa; Fernandes, Djalo, Perez, Moura; Gonzalez, Varela; Pepe, Vieira, Galeno; Aghehowa

Casa Pia possible starting lineup:

Sequeira; Zolotic, Goulart, Kluivert; Geraldes, Kraev, Brito, Lelo; Livolant, Cassiano, Moreira