Moreirense vs Porto Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Moreirense vs Porto on and what time does it start? Moreirense vs Porto will take place on Monday 14th August, 2023 – 18:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Moreirense vs Porto? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Moreirense vs Porto on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Moreirense vs Porto in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
MOREIRENSE
Moreirense were promoted to the top-flight last season, under the management of Paulo Alves. The home team played an aggressive and attacking 4-3-3 system as they won the second-tier. In their 34 matches, they scored 77 goals which is very unlike Portuguese football of recent years as most coaches and tactical ideas have tended to be defensive and fairly negative.
Over the summer, the home team have allowed several players to leave on free transfers but four of those have gone to teams that were relegated last season. They have spent relatively big money on two new additions, Kobamelo Kodisang and Fabiano Souza, who are expected to start on the opening day.
PORTO
Sergio Conceicao’s Porto come into this on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Benfica in the 2023 Supertaca Candido de Oliveira and the visitors will hope that is not a sign of things to come after Benfica ran away with the Portuguese title last season. The visitors have actually endured a fairly difficult run in pre-season with that loss making it four without a victory as they head into the campaign.
In the summer transfer window, Porto have allowed Mateus Uribe, Wilson Manafa, Nanu and Fernando Andrade to depart on free transfers and they have sold Diogo Leite to Union Berlin, where he was on loan last season. In terms of incomings, they have signed Nico Gonzalez on a permanent deal from Barcelona whilst also striking a blow to Gil Vicente by poaching their star striker, Fran Navarro.
THE TEAM NEWS
MOREIRENSE
Based on reports, Paulo Alves heads into the opening day of the Primeira Liga season with a fully fit and available squad. The aforementioned Kodisang and Souza should come straight into the line-up on the right-hand side.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Kewin; Souza, Santos, Marcelo, Frimpong, Franco, Aparicio, Alanzinho; Kodisang, Luis, Camacho
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
PORTO
As is often the case with modern day Portuguese coaches, Sergio Conceicao prefers a 4-4-2 system with the two wingers playing high and narrow. He is set to be without first choice right-back Joao Mario due to injury,
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Costa; Conceicao, Pepe, Carmo, Zaidu; Otavio, Eustaquio, Grujic, Pepe; Taremi, Evanilson
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Joao Mario (Injured), Veron (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
After winning the second-tier in style last season, Moreirense will begin the 2023/24 Primeira Liga campaign confident of being able to push into mid-table, a bit like Casa Pia last season. They will potentially surprise many similar sides by playing a more front foot and proactive style of football. Despite that, though, Porto remain the firm favourites as they simply should be more than capable of out-scoring their newly-promoted opposition, even by playing in a more agricultural manner.
TIP: PORTO TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
