Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Primeira Liga clash between Estoril Praia and Famalicao, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two sides who have failed to win their last three games square off in the Primeira Liga as Estoril Praia play host to Famalicao at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Sunday.
While the Vila Nova have all but guaranteed a top-half finish in what has been a decent campaign, Estoril find themselves within two points of the relegation zone heading into the final four games.
Match preview
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Estoril Praia failed to steer clear of the relegation zone last Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Chaves when the sides squared off at the Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira.
In a heated affair where Marcelo Carne and Pedro Alvaro picked up red cards, goals from Joao Basso and Fabricio Andrade helped the visitors cancel out Joao Correia‘s 32nd-minute opener, but Helder Morim grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser to force a share of the spoils.
Estoril Praia have now failed to taste victory in any of their last three outings, picking up two draws and losing once since claiming back-to-back victories over Portimonense and Porto back in March.
With 30 points from 30 matches, Vasco Seabra‘s men are currently 13th in the Primeira Liga table, level on points with 14th-placed Boavista and just two points above 16th-placed Portimonense in the relegation playoff spot.
Next up for Estoril Praia is the stern challenge of going up against an opposing side who are unbeaten in seven of their last 10 encounters, claiming five wins and two draws since November 2013.
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Famalicao, on the other hand, failed to return to winning ways as they could only salvage a 2-2 draw with Portimonense at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao last Saturday.
In a game where Justin De Haas received an early bathe, Jhonder Cadiz scored a second-half brace to put the hosts in front after Alemao opened the scoring for Portimonense in the seventh minute, but Carlinhos converted his 77th-minute penalty to force a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Famalicao saw their four-match unbeaten run come to an end on April 16, when they were beaten 1-0 by league leaders Sporting Lisbon courtesy of a 20th-minute effort from Pedro Goncalves.
With just four games left to play, Famalicao are on course to secure a top-half finish this season as they sit eighth in the Primeira Liga table with 36 points, seven points behind fifth-placed Moreirnese and four above ninth-placed Gil Vicente.
While Famalicao will be looking to return to winning ways this weekend, they will need to take their A-game to the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota as they have won just two of their last 14 away games in the league since September.
Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:
Famalicao Primeira Liga form:
Team News
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Estoril Praia will have to cope without the services of Carne and Alvaro, who are suspended after both picking late cards in the heated game against Chaves last time out.
On the injury front, Seabra will be unable to name experienced defender Erick Cabaco, who is set to sit the remainder of the season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury last September.
Scottish midfielder Jordan Holsgrove will also play no part in Sunday’s game as he continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a severe injury in the Taca da Liga final defeat against Braga on January 27.
As for Famalicao, De Haas received an early bath in the game against Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out and the Dutch defender is set to serve the first of his three-game suspension.
Portuguese midfielder Gustavo Sa is also suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking last Sunday and the 19-year-old is also out of contention for the Vila Nova.
Cadiz has been a standout performer for Famalicao this season and the Venezuelan striker, who now has 15 league goals under his belt, will be one to keep an eye on.
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Parra, Basso, Vital; Gomes, Fernandes, Zanocelo, Araujo, Guitane; Cassiano, Tavares
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior, Nathan, Riccieli, Lacoux, Moura; Youssouf, Topic; Sorriso, Soares, Chiquinho, Cadiz
We say: Estoril Praia 2-1 Famalicao
With their top-flight status currently in the balance, Estoril Praia needs a strong end to the season if they hope to beat the drop. We predict Seabra’s men will take the positives from their draw against Chaves and claim all three points in front of their home supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.