Liga Portugal 2025-2026: Porto-Gil Vicente, the likely lineups

Porto closes out Monday night the 19th day of Liga Portugal with the goal of rebuilding the seven-point margin over Sporting, busy two days earlier and victorious at home to Arouca 2-1. At the Dragão, however, comes a Gil Vicente team in the midst of a race for the fourth place that is worth Europe (specifically, qualification for the Conference League), a team determined to take advantage of the good moment to snatch points from the leader.

Italian coach Francesco Farioli’s team continues to travel at a very high pace: 17 wins in 18 days, best defense in the tournament and 14 matches without conceding goals. The European draw with Viktoria Plzen interrupted a long winning streak, but in the league the Dragons remain an almost perfect machine. As for the lineup, Froholdt is in doubt, while De Jong and Perez remain unavailable. Thiago Silva is back enlisted, while up front Samu Omorodion seeks redemption after two failed penalties.

Gil Vicente, on the other hand, is coming off six consecutive useful results, although only against Nacional came a win, 2-1, after five straight draws. However, Cesar Peixoto’s team has already equaled last season’s number of wins and comes to the Dragão with only one loss in the last nine away matches. There are few doubts in the lineup: Caseres and Moreira remain out, while new goalkeeper Lucão is challenging for a starting spot for Daniel Figueira, who is favored anyway.

Probable lineups

Porto (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Alberto Costa, Thiago Silva, Kiwior, Fernandes; Rodrigo Mora, Varela, Veiga; Pepe, Samu, Sainz. All. Farioli.

Gil Vicente (4-2-3-1): Figueira; Zé Carlos Teixeira, Buantu, Elimbi, Konan; Zé Carlos Natario, Santiago García; Murilo, Esteves, Tidjany Touré; Varela. All. Cesar Peixoto.