Third-placed FC Porto hosts second-placed Sporting Braga this Friday in the “big” match of round eight of the Portuguese soccer league, with both teams looking to put pressure on leader Benfica.
Still undefeated like Benfica, who only plays on Saturday in Guimarães, Sporting Braga, two points behind the leader, visits FC Porto at 9:15 p.m., coming off a draw at Estoril Praia (1-1) and a tough defeat in the ‘Champions’ (4-0 at home against Bruges).
With the best attack in the competition (23 goals), the Minho club, with only one draw in nine games –achieved in the first round, against Sporting-, has a great test of his form at Dragão, against FC Porto, third, five points from the leadand who does not know if he will be able to count on three indisputable starters, such as Pepe, Otávio and Uribe, all with physical problems.
Earlier, at the opening of the second leg, at 7:00 p.m., Sporting, in an unusual eighth position, already 11 points behind Benfica, receives Gil Vicente, 10th, who seeks to get back to winning ways after the defeat at home against Boavista (2-1) in the last round.
Using Coates, St. Juste, Porro and Neto in doubt, Sporting coach Rúben Amorim, may struggle to form the defensive quintet in the reception to the gilistas, who occupy the 10th position of the championship.
On Saturday, Benfica tries to maintain the 100% victorious trajectory of the beginning of the season, visiting Vitória de Guimarães, in ninth place.
Eighth round schedule:
- Friday, September 30:
Sporting – Gil Vicente, 7 p.m.
FC Porto – Sporting Braga, 21:15
- Saturday October 1:
Vizela-Portimonense, 3:30 p.m.
Sports Chaves – Estoril Beach, 18:00
Victory of Guimaraes – Benfica, 20:30
- Sunday October 2:
Rio Avenue – Santa Clara, 3:30 p.m.
Paços de Ferreira — Arouca, 6:00 p.m.
Famalicão — Boavista, 8:30 p.m.
- Monday October 3:
Maritime – Casa Pia, 20:15
Source: Observadora
