Porto - Tondela: can Porto maintain their gap over the chasing pack?
On Sunday, April 19, we will see a Matchday 30 clash in the Portuguese League as Porto host Tondela. Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 CET, and here is a betting preview for the match.
Porto - Tondela: match facts and head-to-head
- Porto have lost only one of their last eight matches.
- Porto have both scored and conceded in each of their last five games.
- Tondela are winless in five consecutive matches.
- Porto are unbeaten in their last 12 home matches.
- Tondela have won only one of their last six away fixtures.
- Porto boast the best defence in the Portuguese League with just 14 goals conceded.
- Porto have scored in both halves in 43% of their matches this season.
- Porto have won half of their league matches this season to nil.
- Tondela have lost 43% of their matches without scoring, while Porto stand at 7%.
- Porto beat Tondela 2-0 in the last meeting between the sides.
- Tondela have not defeated Porto since 2016.
Porto - Tondela: match preview
Porto sit at the top of the table and are doing everything possible to secure the Portuguese League title. After 29 matches, they have collected 76 points and lead second place by five points. However, Sporting have a game in hand and could cut the gap to three. That means the Dragons cannot afford mistakes if they want to stay ahead in the closing stages of the campaign. Only five rounds remain. Porto are already out of the Europa League, so they can now focus entirely on the domestic title race.
Tondela are fighting a very different battle — the fight for survival. After 28 matches, they have collected 21 points and currently sit 17th. They are five points behind 16th place, which offers a relegation play-off spot, and seven adrift of 15th. Tondela have also played only 28 matches, while some rivals have already played 29 or 30, so they will still have chances to make up ground. However, victories are urgently needed, as they are without a win in their last five games.
Probable line-ups
- Porto: Diogo Costa; A. Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Zaidu; Froholdt, Varela, Veiga; Pepe, Gül, Pietuszewski
- Tondela: Bernardo; Manso, Marques, J. Silva, R. Conceição; Rodriguez, Hodge; Ouattara, Lopes, H. Félix; Maranhão
Prediction
This is a hugely important match for Porto, and I expect them to do everything possible to win — and to do so convincingly. My suggested bet is Porto over 2 team goals.
