Portimonense and Celtic will meet for a second pre-season friendly in four days when they renew acquaintances in southern Portugal on Saturday.
The two sides played out a goalless draw on Wednesday, with new Bhoys manager Brendan Rodgers overseeing his first game since returning to the club.
Match preview
© Reuters
Portimonense avoided relegation from the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season after finishing fourth from bottom in the table, seven points clear of the dreaded relegation playoff spot and 11 points above the bottom two.
Despite losing 20 of their 34 league matches in 2022-23 – with nine defeats coming in their final 13 outings – the Alvinegros managed to secure their top-flight status for another season.
It is also worth noting that Portimonense were the lowest scorers in the Primeira Liga last term, netting a measly 25 goals, although they finished the campaign with a better defensive record than five teams.
Portimonense's domestic campaign kicks off on July 23 with a Taca da Liga clash against Estrela Amadora, while their opening league game is scheduled for August 13 against Gil Vicente.
It goes without saying that Paulo Sergio and his players will be determined to avoid another relegation battle in 2023-24, with the manager entering his fourth full season with the club.
© Reuters
Celtic, meanwhile, enjoyed huge success on home soil last season, winning the Scottish Premiership title and both domestic cups to seal a famous treble under the guidance of manager Ange Postecoglou.
Remarkably, the Bhoys won 32 of their 38 league matches last term, suffering just two defeats in the process, and they also scored a whopping 114 goals along the way, averaging exactly three goals per game.
However, Postecoglou left to join Tottenham Hotspur last month, opening the door for Brendan Rodgers to return to the club following four years at Leicester City, with the Northern Irishman eager to pick up where the left off.
Rodgers led Celtic to two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups between 2016-17 and 2018-19, overseeing an unbeaten domestic campaign in his first season before securing back-to-back trebles.
The Bhoys have friendlies against Yokohama F Marinos, Gamba Osaka, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Athletic Bilbao before they begin their league campaign against Ross County on August 5, giving Rodgers plenty of time to make his mark on the team.
Team News
© Reuters
Portimonense have signed South Korea Under-20 international Kim Yong-hak from the Pohang Steelers, while 21-year-old winger Sylvester Jasper has joined from Fulham on a free transfer.
Brazilian goalkeeper Vinicius Silvestre has also been signed from Palmeiras, although Japanese stopper Kosuke Nakamura is expected to keep his place between the sticks.
Celtic have also been busy in the transfer market this summer, allowing Jota to leave for Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad in a big-money deal, while Odin Thiago Holm and Marco Tilio have been signed.
Kyogo Furuhashi enjoyed a hugely impressive 2022-23 campaign, scoring 34 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions, and he is expected to lead the line for the Bhoys on Saturday.
In terms of injury news, Celtic look set to be without Cameron Carter-Vickers (knee) and Albian Ajeti (calf) for the foreseeable future.
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Nakamura; Moufi, Tornich, Henrique, Park, Seck; Nonoca, Carlinhos, Estrela; Cariello, Junior
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Johnston, Iwata, Starfelt, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Forrest, Furuhashi, Maeda
We say: Portimonense 1-2 Celtic
Having played out a goalless draw on Wednesday, Portimonense and Celtic will both be eager to taste victory on Saturday, but we can see the Scottish champions edging out the Portuguese outfit on this occasion.
No Data Analysis info
Ben Morris
