Primeira Liga | Gameweek 9

Oct 28, 2024 at 8.15pm UK

Estadio Clube Desportivo das Aves

AVS vs Porto

Match preview

AVS got off to a great start in the Taca de Portugal, beating Campeonato de Portugal side Sandinenses 2-0 at Campo Jogos D. Maria Teresa last Sunday.

After a pretty uneventful first half, Ze Luis converted a penalty kick three minutes into the second half, putting the visitors ahead. John Mercado doubled the lead with a goal in the 66th minute.

Head coach Vitor Campelos will be hoping the cup victory can kickstart a great run of form in the league, where they've had a bit of a rough start to their top-flight debut, going three games without a win.

After beating Rio Ave 1-0 on September 14, AVS lost 3-0 to Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on September 22. They then drew with Farense and Arouca in their two October games.

The Vila das Aves team, who got promoted from the second tier via the playoffs last season, have won two of their eight Primeira Liga matches so far. They've lost three and drawn three, collecting nine points and sitting in 12th place in the table, tied with 11th-placed Estoril Praia.

Porto got their first win of the Europa League campaign on Thursday, beating German side Hoffenheim 2-0.

Tiago Djalo scored just before halftime, putting the hosts in the lead. Samuel Omorodion, who joined the team this summer, scored in the 75th minute, sealing the win.

Porto started their Europa League journey on September 25 with a 3-2 loss against Bodo/Glimt at the Aspmyra Stadion. They then played Manchester United on home turf and drew 3-3.

Before the midweek win against Hoffenheim, Porto booked their spot in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal thanks to a 3-0 win against the Campeonato de Portugal team Sintrense on October 20. Wanderson Galeno, Ivan Jaime, and Djalo all scored.

After two straight cup games, Vitor Bruno's team is back in action in the Primeira Liga. They've won four straight there, scoring 11 goals and keeping two clean sheets since September.

After finishing fourth in the 2023-24 season, Porto has won all but one of their eight games this season. The exception was a 2-0 defeat against rivals Sporting Lisbon on August 31.

Recent Performance

AVS Primeira Liga form:WLWLDD

AVS form (all competitions):LWLDDW

Porto Primeira Liga form:WLWWWW

Porto form (all competitions):LWDWWW

Team News

AVS will be without the services of 20-year-old goalkeeper Lucas Moura, who has been out since picking up a bad shoulder injury back in March.

Assuming he's fit to play, Moura will be the only one missing from the home side on Monday. We're expecting to see Fernando Fonseca, Jorge Teixeira, Cristian Devenish and former Vizela man Kiki Afonso in the back four.

It looks like Gustavo Assuncao and Jaume Grau will be the two in the midfield, while we should see an attacking line of Mercado, Luis Silva, Rodrigo Ribeiro, and Inter Milan loanee Issiaka Kamate.

Porto still don't have 27-year-old defender Zaidu Sanusi, who's been out since February with an ACL injury.

Ivan Marcano is the second player on the Dragoes' squad dealing with an ACL injury. The 37-year-old has been out of action since mid-September and will also miss Monday's clash.

Fran Navarro was an unused substitute against Hoffenheim in midweek, but the Spanish striker could be back in action at the Estadio do Desportivo das Aves. He's just recovered from a muscle problem.

Since joining from Atlético Madrid in the summer, Omorodion has scored eight goals in eight matches across all competitions. The 20-year-old is one to watch.

Possible starting lineups

AVS possible starting lineup:

Ochoa; Fonseca, Teixeira, Devenish, Afonso; Assuncao, Grau; Mercado, Silva, Ribeiro; Kamate

Porto possible starting lineup:

Costa; Mario, Ze Pedro, Perez, Moura; Eustaquio, Varela; Pepe; Gonzalez, Galeno; Omorodion