Portimonese vs Nacional Predictions

Portimonense and Nacional are only separated by two points and two places in the Primeira Liga table, meaning a win for the visitors on Sunday would see them leapfrog their hosts. Portimonense are without a win in their last six matches and that has seen them slip further and further away from the ongoing battle for the European places, to the point where they are being dragged closer to the relegation fight.

Last time out Portimonense suffered a 3-1 defeat away at Sporting CP, with the hosts scoring two goals in the opening eleven minutes to take control of the match. Paulinho pulled a goal back for the visitors on the half hour mark and Portimonense created chances to equalise in the second half, but a last minute penalty from Bruno Fernandes saw the hosts claim all three points. Nacional and Tondela produced a five-goal thriller last weekend, with the pair going in at the break 1-1 after Riascos cancelled out Tondela’s opening goal for Nacional. The hosts went in front shortly after the hour mark through Tissone, but the lead only lasted four minutes before Tondela equalised. The winning goal arrived with just seven minutes left on the clock, as Vítor Gonçalves made himself the hero by scoring the games fifth and final goal to secure Nacional a 3-2 win.

The recent encounters between these two clubs and Portimonense’s run of low scoring matches over the last few weeks point towards a tight and tense game on Sunday, with a high probability of under 2.5 goals being scored. Under 2.5 goals have been scored in five of the last six matches between these two clubs, and Portimonense have only lost one of their last five matches against Nacional. Under 2.5 goals have been scored in four of Portimonense’s last six matches, while Nacional have lost their last six games away from home. With all that in mind we’re expecting fewer than three goals to be scored on Sunday, and believe Portimonense will end their winless run.

Former Porto striker Jackson Martínez top scores for Portimonense this season with six goals in the Primeira Liga so far, while Rochez leads the way in front of goal for Nacional and is just one away from hitting double figures in the league. We’re confident that under 2.5 goals will be scored in Sunday’s match, and have backed the hosts to claim a narrow 1-0 win. The majority of Portimonense’s last six matches have seen fewer than three goals scored and the same goes for most of the recent encounters between the hosts and this weekends guests. Portimonense have only lost one of their last five games against Nacional and are due to return to winning ways.