Porto vs. Gil Vicente: Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

After beating Sporting CP in the Portuguese Super Cup, Porto will seek to offer supporters another cause to rejoice against Gil Vicente on Saturday. Despite losing key striker Mehdi Taremi to Inter on a free transfer, the Dragons are hungry to win the Primeira Liga. Veteran center-back Pepe left the squad.

However, Os Galos had preseason ups and downs. The visitors want to win the season opener, but their poor record at Estadio do Dragao makes anything but a home victory unlikely. 

Previous Matches and head-to-head

Last year, Porto's results were all over the place. The "Dragons" made it to the Champions League quarterfinals before being ousted in a penalty shootout by Arsenal; they also won the Portuguese Cup. But in the Primeira Liga, Porto could only manage third place, eight points behind second-place Benfica. In the deciding head-to-head match, Porto prevailed against Braga to secure third place.

Sérgio Conceição was not at the helm of Porto's new season as head coach; his deputy Vítor Bruno took his place. Seeing the new coach's first game in charge was breathtaking. Sporting led Porto 0-3 in the 24th minute of the Portuguese Super Cup match, but Porto staged a remarkable comeback and won 4-3 in overtime.

Last year, Gil Vicente fought relegation for most of the season until pulling away in the final stretch to finish in 12th place, four points above the playoff zone for relegation. Considering they are usually one of the underdogs each season, this is a good outcome for the little team.

Félix Correia, a winger who was instrumental for Juventus last season while on loan, was acquired by Gil Vicente from Juventus over the offseason. Another important player from Villarreal B, Diego Collado, was also recruited by the "Roosters" on a free transfer. Gil Vicente played in three preseason friendly matches, drawing 0-0 with newly promoted Deportivo La Coruña, losing 0-1 to Celta Vigo, and winning 2-1 against Rio Ave.

Our Predictions

Porto to win and over 2.5 goals @1.70 on Sky247.ng.

After an outstanding preseason, Porto won last week's championship match against Sporting Lisbon, thanks to an incredible comeback. Their goal-scoring has been very effortless, as Gil Vicente let in 30 goals in 17 away matches last season. The indicators could be better for visitors who need help scoring away from home.

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