As Liga Portugal enters game week 15, Casa Pia will host FC Porto. With both teams at the top of the table, this will be an exciting match. While Casa Pia sits fifth with 26 points, Porto is second with 32 points. Porto goes into this fixture as the favourite, but Casa Pia will be determined to give the visitors a tough game in their territory. Below are some stats looking at the likelihood of the outcome of this match.
Season overview
Casa Pia has won eight, drawn two, and lost four thus far. The Os Gansos have netted only 15 goals thus far and average 1.17 xG per match. Their defence has let in 11 goals with an xGA rate of 1.35. The newcomers are on a dream run this season and have shown good form. They won 2-1 away against Portimonense in their last match. The viz above shows the percentile rank of Casa Pia’s stats compared to other Liga Portugal teams. While they don’t have a great percentile rank in most of the stats, they have been doing decently in attack and defence.
Porto, on the other hand, have won ten, drawn two, and lost two matches each. The Dragons have netted 36 goals, averaging 2.33 xG per match. Their defence has let in 10 goals with an xGA rate of 0.76. Following their 5-1 defeat of Arouca in their previous match, Porto will be looking to make it four wins in a row and keep the pressure on league leaders Benfica. The viz above shows the high percentile rank of Porto across almost every department, indicating they have been one of the best teams this season.
The comparison chart above shows the superiority possessed by the visitors over the home team. Porto have a much more potent attack than Casa Pia and is the better passer of the ball. Meanwhile, defence is the area where both teams possess some similar elements. Both teams possess close enough stats in terms of recovery and a high pressing success rate. We can expect Casa Pia to keep things tight at the back and try to counterattack while they allow Porto possession of the ball.
Casa Pia’s defence vs Porto’s attack
Casa Pia’s defence will be the key to obtaining a positive result against an offensive Porto side. Os Gansos have conceded 11 goals thus far, which is the second-lowest in comparison to other Liga Portugal teams. Filipe Martins’ side intercepts the ball 48.07 times per match along with 89.14 recoveries. Additionally, they win 61.5% of their defensive duels and 45.6% of their aerial duels. Casa Pia’s defensive solidarity will be up against a tough test from the visitors.
Porto, on the other hand, wins 55.2% of their defensive duels and 51.1% of their aerial duels. They make 38.07 interceptions and 86.79 recoveries per match and will look to not give away many chances to Casa Pia’s attackers.
Porto’s style of play will be offensive from the start. Sergio Conceicao’s side has averaged 34.57 positional attacks and 1.86 counterattacks per match this season. On average, they take 16.8 shots per match and have a 39.1% accuracy rate. The above viz shows that Porto has scored all of its goals from close range inside the penalty area but also possesses the ability to attempt long-range efforts.
In comparison, Casa Pia creates a lower number of 21.71 positional attacks per match. However, they launch counterattacks more frequently than their opponents, with 2.36 such attacks seen per match. Additionally, they take an average of 10.57 shots per match and have a 34.4% accuracy rate.
Key players
Mehdi Taremi will once again want to show why he’s one of the biggest stars in Liga Portugal. The striker scored a clinical hat trick in the most recent match against Arouca, bringing his season total to nine. Taremi has an additional five assists to his name, which makes him his team’s as well as the league’s highest goal scorer and provider. Against Casa Pia, the 30-year-old will be keen to increase his goal contribution tally further.
Saviour Godwin has been one of the key players for Casa Pia in Liga Portugal 2022–23. The Nigerian winger has three goals and an assist to his name and is his team’s leading goal scorer thus far. He occupies wide positions on the left flank and uses his speed to burst forward. He will be important in attack for his team and a threat to the Porto backline.
Team News
FC Porto is expected to be without some important players like Evanlison, Zaidu Sanusi, and centre-back Pepe.
Meanwhile, Casa Pia doesn’t have any known injuries or suspensions in the squad except for long-term absentee Duplexe Tchamba. They are likely to put out a full-strength starting eleven.
This will be an exciting matchup between Casa Pia and FC Porto. While the visitors will be the favourites, both teams will be poised to obtain a positive result to continue the momentum. Porto will look for all three points to remain on Benfica’s tail in the title race. Meanwhile, Casa Pia will be motivated to stir up an upset as the underdogs and strengthen their position further at the top end of the table.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
