Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
After surviving Gil Vicente at the weekend, Porto will be aiming to give fans some cheer when they take on Ferreira at their Estadio do Dragao on Saturday evening. The Dragons head into the match following a heavy 5-1 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League, and, no doubt, they are desperate to get back on course. Mbemba returns from the CL ban, while fellow defender Pepe is likely to miss the game through injury.
You should bear in mind, though, that Porto aim to keep their 100% record at home intact. Ferreira, on the other hand, have drawn each of the previous three league fixtures, but holding Porto to a draw at Estadio do Dragao is easier said than done. You should bear in mind that the Dragons emerged triumphant in each of the previous ten meetings between the two sides in Porto in all competitions.
Highlighted Player (Pepe):
Pepe is a professional footballer who plays for Porto as a defender. The Portuguese international played for Maritimo at the start of his senior career and in 2004 he moved to Porto. After making 64 league appearances for the Dragons, he signed a contract with Real Madrid in 2007 and he quickly established himself as a first-team regular.
Pepe is well known for his hard tackles and referees often show him red card. The Real Madrid centre back often played as a defensive midfielder under Jose Mourinho and it has to be noted that he scored five goals in all competitions in the 2013/2014 La Liga campaign.
The Portuguese footballer won his second Champions League trophy with Real Madrid in the 2015/2016 season and later in 2016 he helped A Selecao win the European Championship trophy. Portugal defeated France in the title game and Pepe played an important role in Fernando Santos’ team in the Euro 2016 final. The Real Madrid defender was born in Maceio, Brazil on 26 February, 1983.
Highlighted Team (Ferreira):
Founded on April 5, 1950, Pacos de Ferreira are a Portuguese football club who play their home games at Estadio da Mata Real. The venue can hold up to 9,077 people and it was opened in October 7, 1973. Os Castores are well known for their yellow shirts and green shorts, with the team wearing white and black kit when playing on the travels.
Pacos de Ferreira have yet to win the Primeira Liga trophy, but they did well to make it to the Taca de Portugal final in the 2008/2009 season. Os Castores faced Porto in the title game, with the Dragons attacker Lisandro Lopez scoring the only game of the match.
Two seasons later Pacos de Ferreira faced Benfica in the Taca da Liga final, with the Eagles lifting the trophy. Wolverhampton forward Diogo Jota is one of notable footballers who started their senior careers at Pacos de Ferreira.