While most attention in Portugal this weekend will focus on the Lisbon derby, another mouth-watering contest is in prospect 300 km up the A1 motorway, as FC Porto host fellow northerners Braga.
The pressure alleviated somewhat on Porto coach Vítor Pereira in midweek as a three-game winless run was halted with a crucial victory away at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. It was a solid rather than spectacular performance, with Hulk once again the stand-out player for the Dragons.
With new signing Kleber failing to fire, James Rodríguez fading after a promising start to the campaign and Silvestre Varela unable to repeat his form of last season, the burly Brazilian has been the fulcrum of Porto’s attacking game all season.
A goal and an assist in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory in Ukraine exemplified just how important Hulk is to the Portuguese champions.
Braga’s measly defense - the best in the league having shipped just 4 goals in 10 games - will make it their duty to nullify Hulk.
It is the first meeting between the sides since the Europa League final in Dublin in May. Porto squeezed out a 1-0 victory on that occasion, and few would bet against another tight game with few goals.
Should Porto avoid defeat they will extend an unbeaten run in League play straddling three seasons to 50 matches. “I was not aware of that,” said coach Pereira. “But if we win against Braga on Sunday we will remain at the top of the table, and that is the most important thing.”
Porto centre-back Mangala remains an injury doubt ahead of the game, although Romanian right-back Sapunaru is now fit and available for selection. Braga right-back Baiano is out injured, with Salino likely to deputize for him.
Kick-off at 6.15 pm local time on Sunday at the Estadio do Dragao, Porto.
With new signing Kleber failing to fire, James Rodríguez fading after a promising start to the campaign and Silvestre Varela unable to repeat his form of last season, the burly Brazilian has been the fulcrum of Porto’s attacking game all season.
A goal and an assist in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory in Ukraine exemplified just how important Hulk is to the Portuguese champions.
Braga’s measly defense - the best in the league having shipped just 4 goals in 10 games - will make it their duty to nullify Hulk.
It is the first meeting between the sides since the Europa League final in Dublin in May. Porto squeezed out a 1-0 victory on that occasion, and few would bet against another tight game with few goals.
Should Porto avoid defeat they will extend an unbeaten run in League play straddling three seasons to 50 matches. “I was not aware of that,” said coach Pereira. “But if we win against Braga on Sunday we will remain at the top of the table, and that is the most important thing.”
Porto centre-back Mangala remains an injury doubt ahead of the game, although Romanian right-back Sapunaru is now fit and available for selection. Braga right-back Baiano is out injured, with Salino likely to deputize for him.
Kick-off at 6.15 pm local time on Sunday at the Estadio do Dragao, Porto.
