Dragons to fire up Portuguese Title Race

 

Betfair Live Video brings you more prime cuts of European football this weekend. Reuben Thomas previews two crucial encounters from the Belgian Championship Playoffs  and Portugal's Primeira Liga.

 

Lokeren vs Standard

Saturday 17:00

 

First up on Saturday is action from the Belgian Jupiler League Championship Playoffs, we're in East Flanders as Lokeren face Standard Liege.

 

Both these teams only just scraped into the playoffs, they finished in the bottom two qualifying positions, it looked unlikely at that point either were to be serious  contenders for the title.

 

For Lokeren that has proved to be the case, after a poor start it now looks impossible for them to mount a challenge. For Standard though things are looking good,  they've found form at just the right time and are hot on the tails of the top two.

 

Since the Playoffs began Lokeren have played four and only picked up a solitary point, they've really disappointed and it seems their best hope now would be to try and  nick a Europa League playoff spot.

 

Their top men such as Milos Maric and Ayanda Patosi have failed to deliver the way they did in the regular season. The step up in class in the Playoff games has  exposed Lokeren's weaknesses. Striker Benjamin Mokulu Tembe has looked dangerous and is scoring but he is finding little support from his team-mates.

 

Lokeren weren't particularly productive at home during the regular season, they only managed five wins all year at the Daknamstadion. Their fall off in 2013 has  actually been pretty remarkable; they have only managed one win since January, incidentally that was against Saturday's visitors. The mood in Lokeren is far from  optimistic.

 

Standard fans have a lot more reason to be happy, the 'Rouches' are going from strength to strength this year. Coach Mircea Rednic has them playing exciting attacking  football. They have won three of their four Playoff games and drew the other with leaders Anderlecht.

 

Now sitting in third and with the top two facing off on Sunday night, Standard have a real opportunity to put themselves in with a chance to claim the title. Captain  Jelle Van Damme has been speaking positively of their chances this week and expects another win on Saturday.

 

A lot of Standard's recent success has been down to a pair of nineteen year old strikers; Michy Batshuayi and Imoh Ezekiel are both lightening quick and both in good  goal scoring form. Standard are probably the most dangerous team in Belgium at the moment especially considering Anderlecht's stuttering form.

 

Expect Lokeren's poor home form to continue and for Standard to continue their march towards the top of the Playoffs.

 

Recommended Bets:

Back Standard to win @ 2.08

 

Moreirense vs Porto

Saturday 20:30

 

Saturday night and a critical match from North Western Portugal as reigning champions Porto make the trip to relegation fighters Moreirense.

 

After a surprise promotion last year Moreirense have found it tough going in the top flight, they currently languish in fifteenth, if they don't improve their position  they'll be heading straight back down.

 

There are four clubs within a couple of points of Moreirense so they still have ample opportunity to climb out of trouble and their recent form suggests they are  capable. They had gone five games unbeaten before a heartbreaking stoppage time winner saw them defeated by Sporting last time out.

 

If Moreirense do survive it will be largely down to Nabil Ghilas, the Algerian forward has already netted twelve times, half Moreirense's team total for the season.  His importance to the team can't be overstated and his impressive form hasn't gone unnoticed, top European clubs have sent scouts and David Moyes recently registered  his interest.

 

Visitors Porto need the points from this one for totally different reasons. They are looking for their third straight title but currently trail Benfica by four and  time is running out. The gulf between these two powerhouses and the rest of the league has been more apparent this season than ever. With only five matches remaining  to be played neither of Porto or Benfica have yet tasted defeat in the Primeira Liga.

 

Benfica have a tough game against Lisbon rivals Sporting on Sunday by which time Porto could be within a point. Porto also host the leaders in the penultimate game of  the season so the title is very much still up for grabs. Coach Vitor Pereira must keep his 'Dragons' winning to be ready to take advantage of any Benfica slip up. They  are now 3.35 to retain their title but that could be a lot shorter by the end of the weekend.

 

The Porto team is riddled with stars but the stand-out performers this year have been the Colombian duo of Jackson Martinez and James Rodriguez. Martinez is a lethal  finisher and will end as the league's top scorer but Jaime Rodriguez is probably the most exciting talent in the league, comparison's with a young Cristiano Ronaldo  are constant. Such is the profile of these two players in their homeland last week Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos publicly thanked Porto for the development of  the game in his country.

 

Last week Porto were cruelly beaten in the final of the League Cup after a harsh sending off and penalty saw them loose by a single goal to Braga. This week their  anger and frustration may be vented against Moreirense.

 

Moreirense will be fresh and Ghilas should pose a threat but he'll be facing the best defence in the league and may find chances rare. Expect Porto to claim the win  and pile the pressure back onto title rivals Benfica.

 

Recommended Bets:

Back Porto to win @ 1.28

Back Porto to win 2-0 @ 6.2

Back HT/FT Draw/Porto @ 4.9

 

Bet HERE

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