FC Porto vs Maritimo Predictions

• Porto won 15 of their 17 home games in 2021-22, but maintained clean sheets in less than half of them.
• Maritimo scored in 82% of their away Primeira Liga matches last season
• Porto have scored at least three goals in four of their last five home league games plus last week’s Super Cup win over Tondela.

Porto will be pushed by Islanders

Porto are set to be tested defensively by a Maritimo side capable of scoring at the Dragao when the champions open their title defence at home on Saturday. Sergio Conceicao’s side trampled all over Tondela in last week’s 3-0 Super cup victory, but the islanders are made of much sterner stuff and carry a proven goal threat.

Vasco Seabra’s side scored in 82% of their away trips last term, including at both Porto and Benfica, while they managed to record a superb 1-0 victory at Sporting Braga. And the club have a relatively impressive record at Porto’s home after winning two of their last eight trips to the Dragao – so a shock win cannot totally be ruled out.

The Greatest of the Islands have warmed up for their mission improbable with some solid pre-season showings such as last week’s 1-0 win over Santa Clara.

Clean sheet unlikely for Porto

Aside from their easy win over a Tondela side with big problems, Porto have produced some flowing football in pre-season wins over Monaco and Vitoria Guimaraes – but neither were achieved with a clean sheet. They blanked only eight of their 17 home league opponents last term and it’s unlikely they keep Maritimo at bay for the full 90 minutes here.

If the Madeiran club do produce a performance as memorable as their 2015 or 2020 wins then it will be a major coupon buster. So, just in case they do, we are reducing the stake and taking a bigger price that factors in Maritimo’s threat by backing over 2.5 goals and both teams to score.

It would have landed in three of the last four meetings between the clubs. A 2-1 Porto win has our money too because Conceicao’s side usually find a way to overcome even the most awkward of opponents at home.

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