Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Primeira Liga match.
Nacional's poor run of form, with three defeats in their last five games, should assist Porto in securing an easy victory in their debut match of 2025. Porto have surpassed Benfica and now trail Sporting only on tiebreakers, with both teams level on 40 points.
Nacional
A setback against Rio Ave (1:2) has kept Nacional just outside the relegation zone, with the gap to danger reduced to a single point. The underdogs have only scored 11 goals in 16 matches, ranking third from the bottom alongside Farense. Nacional remain without two injured players (Miguel Baeza and Tomás Viera), and the returning Zé Vítor, post suspension due to yellow card accumulation, is unlikely to bridge the gap in quality against the top-tier opposition.
Porto
In contrast, Porto finished 2024 on a winning streak, with four victories in their last five matches. Against Boavista (4:0), their main striker Samuel Aghehowa scored routinely (2+0), while Nico González and Rodrigo Mora each contributed with 1+1. On the road, Porto have showcased their prowess, tallying 15 goals in seven away matches—the second-best record after Sporting, who have 25.
Nacional vs Porto Prediction
In a summer friendly, Nacional suffered a heavy defeat to Porto (1:4), and prior to that, Porto had claimed nine consecutive victories in official fixtures. We recommend considering backing a win for Porto with a handicap.
