Portimonense SC, who have played in Liga Portugal since 2017 and usually finish in the lower half, are currently placed eighth this season. So far in Liga Portugal 2022/23, Portimonense has won six, drawn one, and lost seven matches. They have picked up 19 points at a reasonable rate of 1.36 points per game. The team started the season nicely, winning four out of five matches, but their form has slumbered in recent weeks. They have faced three defeats in their last five league outings (1W, 1D), including their most recent 1-2 home defeat against Casa Pia.
The team’s home form is slightly worse than their away record, with three wins, one draw, and four losses. Alternatively, they have equal wins and losses from six away matches. The club from Portimao will visit Benfica next in what is going to be an extremely tough fixture. Meanwhile, they will be keen to rediscover some consistency in the coming weeks to increase their chances of a top-half finish. Below are some stats looking at Portimonense’s overall performances in Liga Portugal 2022/23.
The viz above shows the percentile rank of Portemonense’s stats in comparison to other teams in the league. It can be observed that the team is doing decently in the attacking and possession departments. They have a high percentile rank in metrics such as xG per and key passes per 90. However, it is their defensive stats that impress the most. Portimonense possesses a very high percentile rank for passes per defensive action (PPDA), opponent xG per shot, recoveries, and a high pressing success rate.
Portimonense attacking stats
Portimonense have scored 13 goals this season, which is a low outcome in proportion to the 166 shots taken. They are scoring 0.93 goals per match despite having a high xG rate per match of 1.65. The team averages 12.21 shots per match with an accuracy rate of 35.1%. The viz above shows the shot map of Portimonense from Liga Portugal 2022/23. They take most of their shots from very close range, and all of their goals have come from inside the box. However, lots of these shots often end up being saved or blocked. Additionally, they have a 60% penalty conversion rate, scoring three out of the five they are awarded.
In comparison to the 2021/22 season, Portimonense scored 31 goals with an xG per match value of 1.09. They scored at a rate of 0.91 goals per match and took 10.82 shots per match, with an accuracy rate of 36.7%. The team is creating a better quality of goalscoring chances and is also taking more shots this season. However, their rate of scoring goals is similar to the previous season.
The above viz represents the overall ball progression by Portimonense in Liga Portugal 2022/23. We can observe the team’s significant utilisation of the two flanks to progress up the pitch rather than the central zones. They create 24.32 positional attacks per match, with 21.5% of such attacks resulting in shots. On the other hand, they launch 2.41 counterattacks per match, with 41.5% of them ending with a shot. In terms of the efficiency of these attacks, they are mostly on par with the rest of the teams.
Impressive defence
Portimonense’s defensive department has much better numbers than their attack. They’ve given up 16 goals and have a goal difference of -3. With 1.14 goals conceded per match on average, they are letting in goals at a much lower rate than their current xGA per match value of 1.36.
Compared with last season, Portimonense conceded 45 goals throughout their campaign with a goal difference of -14. They let in 1.32 goals per match on average with an average xGA rate of 1.55. Thus far, the team is maintaining better stats in defence this season.
The viz above illustrates Portimonense’s defensive territory in Liga Portugal 2022/23. It can be observed that the team’s average defensive line is well within their half. They commit most pf their defensive actions in the defensive third and even inside their penalty box. Portimonense makes 45 interceptions and 15.43 fouls per match. The team enjoys a good amount of success in terms of winning aerial and defensive duels. They have a 59.6% success rate in defensive duels and win 52.3% of their total aerial duels per match.
A high-pressing style
Another area where Portimonense has impressed is in winning back possession in the opposition’s half. Their high-pressing style allows them to regain possession high up the pitch, with 115 such instances observed this season. They have also made 49 dangerous recoveries leading to a shot, including a few in and around the penalty area. Portimonense makes 11 recoveries in the opposition half on average and has a 50% efficiency rate in terms of pressing.
Portimonense’s defenders have displayed their determination to keep things tight at the back. They have blocked an impressive amount of 61 shots between them, with a total xG of 3.06 on those shots. A good proportion of these blocks were made inside their penalty box and have been crucial. This shows the commitment and willingness of the players to work hard and help the team get results.
Portimonense started the season in good form and will be keen to gain some momentum in their upcoming fixtures to achieve a top-half finish. While they will need to sharpen their gameplay in attack, they will want to continue with the same steadiness shown in defence this season.
Visuals via TFA data viz engine
