FC Porto vs Vitoria Guimaraes Betting Tips

The Portugese Primeira Liga is generally considered a three-horse race with a further two-horse race inside that top level. Benfica, Porto and Sporting Lisbon are the class of the division. However, that does not mean that sides like Guimaraes, who finished fifth last season, are useless or should be under-estimated when it comes to the betting markets.

Guimaraes are an organised football team, they are not overly expansive, but they conceded just 35 goals during the 2014-15 campaign, they also didn’t lose too many members from what was a relatively successful squad. This is a team that can definitely compete.

For Porto, it wasn’t a season like many in the past where the core of the squad was gutted. However, the losses of Danilo (Real Madrid) and Jackson Martinez (Athletico Madrid) were tough to take. A large portion of the incoming transfer money was spent on Giannelli Imbula, who was purchased from Marseille. He will be expected to play the role of creative and high quality possession force in midfield.

Porto also quietly acquired out of favour Iker Casillas on a free transfer, while their squad (as usual) possesses much of the best talent in Portugal.

It’s easy to get sucked in when betting on Porto in the Portugese Liga. However, this is a game that is being played on home turf and it’s a game against a side that is not going to show much ambition. Our betting tips expect a relatively cagey start, but a Porto club that has a point to prove after the disappointment of falling short once again in 2014-15, will not allow this first game to go by without making a statement.

Julen Lopetegui’s squad hasn’t played too much football, but they’ve had a useful preseason and we’re anticipating an assured and confident overall performance without the game ever truly breaking open or becoming a rout.