Farense v Porto Betting Tips [25 January 2021]

After 19 years away from the Portuguese top-flight, SC Farense returned to the Primeira Liga this season. The Faro based club have been bottom of the table for most of the season but a 3-1 victory over Gil Vicente a fortnight ago seen them move up to 16th and just one point from safety. As for Porto a 1-1 draw with title rivals Benfica meant that those two sides remain four points behind the league-leaders Sporting Lisbon in what is shaping up to be a three-horse race for the title.  

Farense weren’t in action last weekend but despite having played one game less they have a chance to climb up to 9th if they were to win their game in hand. Just four points separate teams placed 9th or lower in a packed table meaning a couple of wins in a row could catapult Farense to safety. However, I’m not sure the hosts will garner anything from this game. These sides met eight times between 1998 and 2002 with Porto winning seven of those contests and the other ending in a draw. At home, Farense have won three of their last four games taking 10 points from the last 12 on offer. The home side haven’t welcomed any of the top three as of yet but have travelled to Lisbon on two occasions to take on both Sporting and Benfica, losing by the odd goal on each occasion.  

Porto’s 2-1 loss in their cup semi-final with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday ended a 17-game unbeaten run that the Dragons had put together since the end of October. Porto won 14 of those matches (one AET) and I expect them to get back on the winning trail here at Farense. No club has accumulated more points across their last five fixtures than Porto with 13. The visitors have also taken 13 points from their six away leagues winning four of those games and have emerged victorious in seven of their last eight matches on the road.