Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Wednesday’s football game at Estadio Joao Cardoso pits together Tondela and Nacional, the two teams who sit in the opposite halves of the table. Tondela’s main goal is to secure a top-ten finish, while Nacional are desperate to secure the Primeira Liga survival. The Yellow-Greens proved their worth in a 3-2 win over Moreirense, and we are positive that they will adopt yet another attack-minded approach in the midweek clash.
A man to keep an eye on in the home team will be Spanish attacker Mario Gonzalez, who scored a hat-trick in the 3-2 win over Moreirense. The Black and Whites, on the other hand, are on a nine-game losing run in the national championship, and seeing that the rock-bottom side head into the match with lack of confidence, we are tempted to put our money on Tondela. Luxembourg international Thill is back from suspension, while both Witi and Matias are sidelined with injuries for the visiting team. There are no absentees in the home side.
Highlighted Player (Jhon Murillo):
Jhon Murillo is a Venezuela international who was born in El Nula on November 21, 1995. After spending his youth career at San Camilo and Alto Apure, Murillo started playing for Zamora at the senior level.
The Venezuelan forward scored 19 goals in 59 appearances for el Blanquinegro before joining the famous Portuguese club Benfica. However, Murillo did not see any game action at Benfica in Primeira Liga as he was immediately sent on loan to Tondela. After ending his loan spell with the Auriverdes, Jhon Murillo signed a loan deal with Turkish club Kasimpasa in the 2017/2018 season.
In 2018 he returned to Tondela, signing a permanent contract with the Portuguese outfit. Speaking of his international career, the Tondela winger made his Venezuela debut on February 11, 2015, in a friendly against Honduras, scoring the winner on his debut. His primary position is left winger, but he is capable of producing excellent performances as a centre-forward as well.
Highlighted Team (Nacional):
Nacional is a Portuguese football club based in Funchal, on the island of Madeira. Nacional compete in Primeira Liga, with the team hosting their rivals at Estadio de Madeira. The stadium was opened in the winter of 1998, and it can hold no more than 5,132 spectators.
Nacional is one of the oldest clubs in Portugal as it was founded back in 1910. Los Alvinegros are well known for their white shirts with black stripes, with the team wearing yellow jerseys when playing on the road. Nacional have great rivalry with neighbouring club Maritimo, with the two clubs facing each other in the Madeira derby. Los Alvinegros have won AF Madeira Cup on six occasions (1943/44, 1944/45, 1973,74, 1974/75, 2001/02, 2007/08).
The 2003/04 campaign is considered the most successful season in the history of Nacional as they finished the process in the 4th position in the standings. As a result, they booked their place in the UEFA Cup. In the 2009/10 season Nacional participated in the Europa League group stages, facing the like of Athletic Club, Austria Wien, and Werder Bremen in Group L.