With just four rounds of games remaining in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, the race for the title is reaching a crucial stage. League leaders Porto head into their visit to Tondela on Thursday evening six points clear of reigning champions Benfica.
The visitors have hit form at just the right time, while the champions’ inconsistent recent displays have given Porto the initiative in the race to finish as top dogs in Portugal. Last time out, Sergio Conceicao’s team hammered Belenenses 5-0. The victory made the visitors five league games unbeaten, having recorded four wins.
Porto have built their title challenge on very strong defensive foundations, as the Dragons have not conceded in their previous five league matches. That stat may not be surprising, as the visitors have the strongest defence in the league, as well as the joint-best attack along with Benfica’s.
The visitors have an inconsistent recent away record in the Primeira Liga. However, the Dragons have suffered just one defeat in their previous 14 league matches on their travels. They have managed to maintain a good defensive record away from home in the Portuguese top-flight, keeping clean sheets in three of their last four away matches.
Tondela are far from certain of their top-flight status for next season. The home side are just three points above the relegation zone with four league games remaining.
A recent run of just one league win in their last 11 league outings has put the home side in a perilous position.
A 1-0 home defeat by Famalicao last time out means that Tondela have lost three of their last four games in the Primeira Liga.
Their league results on home soil have not proven much better either, as they have won just one of their last ten home games in the Portuguese top-flight.
Forebet predicts that Porto will record another win in a tight, low-scoring contest to strengthen their title claims and, in the process, make things very nervous for Tondela.