Palmeiras vs FC Porto Predictions

• Porto won just ten of their final 23 games of the season
• Palmeiras have won eight of their last ten matches
• The Brazilian side were Club World Cup runners-up in 2021

Palmeiras primed for opening victory

Group A at the revamped Club World Cup is arguably the most competitive at the tournament, with Porto, Palmeiras, Inter Miami and Al Ahly all very capable of progressing into the last 16 on paper. 

However, while most will expect Porto or even Lionel Messi’s Miami to top the section, that would be doing a real disservice to Palmeiras, who have made winning a habit under Abel Ferreira. 

The Portuguese coach led the Brazilian side to league titles in 2022 and 2023, a cup triumph in 2020, a Club World Cup final in 2021 and Copa Libertadores glory in 2020 and 2021. Palmeiras should be favourites to top this group and they can prove that by opening with a win over Porto. 

Porto’s poor season likely to continue 

The Portuguese giants endured a miserable campaign, finishing third and 11 points off the summit in the Primeira Liga, being knocked out in the last 32 of the cup and taking just 11 points from their eight League Phase matches in the Europa League. 

Porto ended the season poorly too, winning just ten of their final 23 matches, and they are unlikely to bounce back against a Palmeiras side bursting with talent. 

The Big Green still have Willian Estevao available for the group stage – he will move to Chelsea following the conclusion of that phase – while Vitor Roque has already accumulated transfer fees of over £50 million in his short career. 

Palmeiras should not be underestimated and they can make it nine wins from 11 matches by beating Porto in their opener.