Good performances in the League Cup could promote Charles to a starting position at Vitória. Farioli has already confirmed the Argentine midfielder’s return to the Dragons’ starting eleven.
A big match in Guimarães, between Vitória and FC Porto, kicks off the second half of the Liga season on a high note. Vitória are riding high after winning the League Cup , while Porto are enjoying a comfortable lead in the championship.
Knowing in advance of Sporting and Benfica’s victories in the 18th round, Porto know that only by winning tonight can they regain the points advantage over their rivals with which they started this round. Therefore, and due to the inherent difficulty of the task at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, Francesco Farioli is not expected to make many changes to the starting eleven that eliminated Benfica from the Portuguese Cup.
SEE THE PROBABLE LINEUPS IN THE GALLERY
Alberto Costa is expected to return to the right side of the defense, replacing Martim Fernandes who fractured his nose in the Clássico , while Alan Varela will return to the starting lineup, as confirmed by the FC Porto coach in the preview of the visit to Guimarães.
On Vitória’s side, the suspended João Mendes and Nélson Oliveira should be replaced by Orest Lebedenko and the new Guimarães hero Alioune Ndoye. The big question mark is in goal, with excellent performances in the League Cup potentially opening the door to a starting position for Charles, Juan Castillo’s usual substitute in the league.
Possible Vitória starting eleven: Charles, Tony Strata, Miguel Nóbrega, Rodrigo Abascal, Orest Lebedenko, Beni Mukendi, Diogo Sousa, Samu, Noah Saviolo, Telmo Arcanjo and Alioune Ndoye.
Possible FC Porto starting eleven: Diogo Costa, Alberto Costa, Thiago Silva, Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, Alan Varela, Victor Froholdt, Gabriel Veiga, Pepê, Borja Sainz and Samu.
The Vitória-FC Porto match kicks off at 8:30 pm this Sunday and will be covered minute=by=minute by Maisfutebol .