When Porto hosts AVS for round 26 of the Primeira Liga this Saturday, they will be looking to overcome their loss from the previous weekend.
The Dragons enter this match after suffering a 1-0 loss against Braga, which has put their top-three standing in jeopardy.
Once again, Porto's lack of consistency was on display as they were unable to build on their victory against Arouca and wasted an opportunity to increase their lead over Braga, which led to a slow start that ultimately proved costly.
Ricardo Horta delivered the game-ending strike just seventeen minutes in, sentencing the Dragons to loss and ending their six-game winning streak.
As a result, Martin Anselmi's team is now tied on points with Braga, clinging to third place only due to a superior goal difference. This makes a win this weekend crucial as they aim to solidify their hold on the Europa League qualification spot.
The Blue and Whites have the third-best home record in the league, earning 30 points from 12 matches and remaining the only team unbeaten at home this season.
However, their recent home form has seen a dip, with three consecutive 1-1 draws against Santa Clara, Sporting Lisbon, and Vitoria de Guimaraes.
Despite this, Porto will enter the match with confidence, particularly against an opponent they dominated 5-0 in their first-ever meeting back in October. They will be eager to secure another decisive victory this weekend.
AVS have faced a challenging first season in the top flight, spending most of the campaign battling to avoid relegation despite making two managerial changes.
Following Vítor Campelos’s departure, Daniel Ramos took over on November 15, but his stint lasted only three months before Rui Ferreira was appointed.
Under Ferreira’s leadership, AVS have played four matches, securing one win and two draws before suffering their first defeat in a 1-0 home loss to Arouca.
That setback keeps AVS in the relegation playoff position with 23 points from four wins, 11 draws, and 10 losses, sitting outside the safety zone only on goal difference.
Their only victory under Ferreira came in a 1-0 away win against SC Farense—their sole league triumph on the road this season—a result they will hope to replicate as they prepare to face Porto.
