Boavista vs FC Porto Prediction: The Dragons Will Start The New Year On A Positive Note

Boavista will welcome FC Porto to the Estadio do Bessa XXI in the 16th round of the Primeira Liga.

Boavista has yet to hit their stride this season and find themselves in a relegation scrap with four points seperating them from the relegation zone. Given that they are winless in ten league matches, the visitors are poised to exploit their shortcoming and secure a comfortable win.

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Boavista vs. FC Porto, probable lineups, match facts and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Boavista

Form: LDLLL

Having started the season on a rather promising note, going unbeaten in the first five matches, winning four and drawing one, Boavista's form has quickly escalated into a somber note as they are without a win in ten matches (L7 D3), leading to the sacking of former Portugal midfielder and coach Petit.

In their latest league match against Gil Vicente away from home, Os Axadrezados lost 1-0 courtesy of a Murilo de Souza Costa penalty in the 64th minute. This marked their third consecutive defeat away from home. Playing at home sees them currently on a five-match winless run (L3 D2) since a 4-1 win over Chaves on September 18th, and getting back to the winning column will prove to be an arduous task given their poor track record over their opponents in this upcoming encounter.

Having accumulated 16 points from 15 matches, Boavista occupy 13th place on points with three other teams above them and are four points clear of the drop zone. They are two points behind seventh-placed Famalicao, and a win in this one could see them move five places up.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Goncalves; Malheiro, Abascal, Ferreira, Miguel; Vukotic, Reisinho; Morais, Lourenco, Agra; Bozenik

FC Porto

Form: WLWWW

The Dragons cannot complain about the first half of the season in the Primeira Liga, as despite their valiant efforts to vie for the top spot in the standings, they have shown resiliency with eleven wins picked up from fifteen matches. Their latest league match against Chaves at home witnessed them eke out a narrow 1-0 triumph, a result that came as no surprise given that the majority of their matches this season have been low-scoring.

This marked their second consecutive win across all competitions since a disappointing 2-0 away defeat at the hands of league leaders Sporting CP on December 18th. Away from home this season, the Dragons have been impressive. Sérgio Conceição's men have suffered just two defeats in eight matches (W6), with those defeats delivered by their two adversaries, Benfica (1:0) and Sporting CP (2:0).

Having accumulated 34 points from 15 matches, FC Porto sits third in the Primeira Liga standings, two points ahead of fourth-placed Braga. Masterfully instigating pressure against the leading duo in the standings, they trail first-placed Sporting CP by three points and second-placed Benfica by two points.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-4-2

Costa; Mario, Pedro, Cardoso, Wendell; Pepe, Eustaquio, Varela, Franco; Martinez, Evanilson

Match Facts

• Boavista are winless in their last nine matches across all competitions, with eight losses and a solitary draw.
• FC Porto are currently on a 21-match unbeaten run when playing against Boavista (W17 D4).
• Boavista averages 1.5 goals per game when playing at home, and FC Porto averages 1.5 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the past 32 encounters, Boavista secured victory three times, had four draws, and FC Porto dominated with 25 wins. The goal difference favors FC Porto at 60-10.

Expert Betting Tips

FC Porto have been the dominant side in this fixture over the past years, and given the struggles of their opponents in this upcoming clash, securing maximum points should be a walk in the park for the Portuguese giants.

The Dragons have won four consecutive matches against Boavista, with their most recent being a 1-0 win at home on March 30, 2023, and expecting a similar result in this one will not come as a surprise. As such, we anticipate the away side to secure a comfortable victory and the total goals to stay under 4.5, considering their defensive approach this season.

• W2 & TU 4.5 for 1.77
• Corners - Under 9.5 for 1.79
• Half-time Result - FC Porto for 2.00