Title contenders Benfica failed to get to the top of the Portuguese Liga Zon/Sagres when they drew 0-0 at home to Olhanense this Friday. Can league leaders FC Porto open a three point gap with only 6 matches to go?
After encountering defeat in the Portuguese League Cup semi-finals against Benfica last Tuesday, FC Porto will definitely try to return to winning ways. It starts with a league match against Paços de Ferreira on Sunday, March 25.
Last season, FC Porto achieved near perfection winning four competitions: Portuguese SuperCup, Portuguese Liga, Portuguese Cup and UEFA Europa League.
This season, things are different. The Liga Zon/Sagres has become the only challenge for FC Porto. The Dragons don’t have any other title to look for after Tuesday's cup defeat. This tells they’ll put all their efforts in order to win the Liga and they’re in a good position to do so.
They will play a tough match at home to Paços de Ferreira. If FC Porto emerge victorious on Sunday, they will take an important step towards the title. Since the Dragons are only playing for the Portuguese Liga Zon/Sagres trophy, FC Porto coach Vitor Pereira will probably use his best XI to beat Paços de Ferreira.
Defender Maicon is unavailable for this match as well as Cristian Rodriguez. During the week, the Uruguayan international was allegedly involved in an incident with teammate João Moutinho. Cristian Rodriguez is on his away out and as Vitor Pereira told reporters, “Rodriguez is taking care of his future”.
Paços de Ferreira FC have recently appointed a new coach. Henrique Calisto is the man in the dugout now. Since his appointment, Paços Ferreira have had a series of positive results. Remarkably, they’re very strong on the counter-attack. In short, they are a tricky team on home soil like away.
Eleventh-placed Paços de Ferreira are only 6 points above the water line but not yet safe from relegation. They suffered a 3-0 defeat to Porto earlier this season. A draw will be seen as a good result as well.
Last season, FC Porto achieved near perfection winning four competitions: Portuguese SuperCup, Portuguese Liga, Portuguese Cup and UEFA Europa League.
This season, things are different. The Liga Zon/Sagres has become the only challenge for FC Porto. The Dragons don’t have any other title to look for after Tuesday's cup defeat. This tells they’ll put all their efforts in order to win the Liga and they’re in a good position to do so.
They will play a tough match at home to Paços de Ferreira. If FC Porto emerge victorious on Sunday, they will take an important step towards the title. Since the Dragons are only playing for the Portuguese Liga Zon/Sagres trophy, FC Porto coach Vitor Pereira will probably use his best XI to beat Paços de Ferreira.
Defender Maicon is unavailable for this match as well as Cristian Rodriguez. During the week, the Uruguayan international was allegedly involved in an incident with teammate João Moutinho. Cristian Rodriguez is on his away out and as Vitor Pereira told reporters, “Rodriguez is taking care of his future”.
Paços de Ferreira FC have recently appointed a new coach. Henrique Calisto is the man in the dugout now. Since his appointment, Paços Ferreira have had a series of positive results. Remarkably, they’re very strong on the counter-attack. In short, they are a tricky team on home soil like away.
Eleventh-placed Paços de Ferreira are only 6 points above the water line but not yet safe from relegation. They suffered a 3-0 defeat to Porto earlier this season. A draw will be seen as a good result as well.
