Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Primeira Liga clash between Famalicao and Portimonense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Seeking to pick up back-to-back away wins for the first time since September, Portimonense go head to head with Famalicao at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Sunday.
The Vila Nova are unbeaten in their most recent two Primeira Liga games against the visitors, picking up four points from a possible six, and will look to extend this impressive run this weekend.
Match preview
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Famalicao were condemned to their first home defeat since January last Tuesday when they were beaten 1-0 by title-chasing Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.
The hosts finished without a single shot on target as Ruben Amorim‘s side turned in a dominant display, with Pedro Goncalves‘s 19th-minute strike enough to separate both sides and maintain Sporting Lisbon’s seven-point lead at the top of the table.
Prior to that, Famalicao were on a four-match unbeaten run, picking up two wins and two draws, and had gone four consecutive matches without defeat at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao since a 2-1 loss against Braga on January 18.
Despite their midweek results, Armando Evangelista‘s men are well on course to secure a top-half finish in what has been another solid campaign, having secured an eighth-placed finish last season.
Famalicao have picked up 35 points from their 29 matches so far — nine shy of their total tally for last season — to sit eighth in the Primeira Liga table, one point above ninth-placed Casa Pia with five games to go.
However, the Vila Nova will have to show their mettle this weekend as they go up against an opposing side who are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 encounters, claiming nine wins and three draws since March 2016.
Portimonense, on the other hand, were left spitting feathers last Monday when they were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man Casa Pia after throwing away a two-goal lead at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao.
In a game Beni Mukendi received his marching orders, Tamble Monteiro and Alemao scored inside the opening half hour to put the hosts in front but goals from Yuki Soma and Nermin Zolotic helped Os Gansos force a share of the spoils.
This followed a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Chaves at the Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira on April 7 which saw Portimonense’s run of eight consecutive games without a win come to an end.
Paulo Sergio‘s men have now picked up 27 points from 29 matches to sit 16th in the Primeira Liga standings, one point behind 15th-placed Estrela Amadora just above the relegation zone.
The Alvinegros’ underwhelming campaign has been owing to their struggles at the defensive end of the pitch, where they currently hold the division’s poorest record, having conceded the highest number of goals so far (62).
Famalicao Primeira Liga form:
Portimonense Primeira Liga form:
Team News
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Jhonder Cadiz had an uncharacteristically quiet game against Sporting Lisbon last Tuesday, but the Venezuelan striker, who has 13 league goals under his belt, should spearhead Famalicao’s attack once again.
At the centre of the park, we expect Zaydou Youssouf and Serbian midfielder Mirko Topic to retain their roles in the XI, while Nathan Santos, Riccieli, Justin De Haas and Francisco Moura should form the back four once again.
Helio Varela came up trumps for Portimonense in December’s reverse fixture as he netted in the 61st minute to half Portimonense a 1-1 draw and the Cape Verde striker will be looking to deliver the goods once again.
He should be joined in the Alvinegros’ final third by 28-year-old Hildeberto Pereira and January signing Monteiro, who opened his account in the game against Casa Pia last Sunday.
At the defensive end of the pitch, we expect a back four of Igor Marques, Pedro Henrique, Alemao and 24-year-old full-back Goncalo Costa, with Japanese international Kosuke Nakamura starting between the sticks once again.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Santos, Riccieli, De Haas, Moura; Youssouf, Topic; Rodriguez, Sa, Chiquinho; Cadiz
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Nakamura; Marques, Henrique, Alemao, Relvas; Clemente, Ventura; Pereira, Carlinhos, Varela; Monteiro.
We say: Famalicao 1-1 Portimonense
Portimonense finds themselves scrambling for points in the danger zone and will be looking for a solid run of results in the run-in to salvage their season. Sergio’s men have lost just one of their last nine games against Famalicao and we are tipping them to hold out for a share of the spoils at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.
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