Liga NOS: X-ray of FC Porto

Benfica travels to Estádio do Dragão this Saturday at 8:30 pm to play matchday 24 of the Liga NOS. FC Porto and Benfica will lock horns, with eagles looking for the 9th consecutive win in the competition and, consequently, the League’s top spot.

The clássico marks a lot more than just a duel between the first two places. It also a match between the best attack (Benfica, with 64 goals scored) and the best defense (FC Porto, with 12 goals conceded). The eagles are also the team with the best away record in the Liga NOS (28 points in 12 matches), and the best attack in the games at home and the only emblem that has already surpassed the  40-goal barrier – 41 – in front of its fans. The dragons are the most effective defense away from home, with only six goals conceded.

Top 5 goal scorers (all competitions)

Top 5 assist providers (all competitions)

Sérgio Conceição usually sets the team in a 4x3x3 formation, being able to change a 4x4x2, with two powerful strikers. In the last match, against SC Braga, for the Portuguese Cup, the coach carried out several changes and fielded the following starting XI: Fabiano; Wilson Manafá, Felipe, Pepe, Alex Telles; Herrera, Óliver Torres, Otávio, Corona; Adrián López, and Fernando Andrade.

Considering the most used players this season, FC Porto has been playing in 4x3x3, with Casillas; Maxi Pereira, Felipe, Éder Militão, Alex Telles; Danilo, Herrera, Óliver Torres; Corona, Brahimi, and Marega.

Top 5 shooters in the Liga NOS

Top 5 crossing in the Liga NOS

Top 5 passing in the Liga NOS

In this segment, FC Porto is in the pursuit of Benfica, the undisputed leader, with 11 184 passes performed and an accuracy close to 84.  Porto has amassed 9796 passes, an average of 394 per game, and an accuracy close to 83%.

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Liga Portugal