Sports Mole previews Friday’s Primeira Liga clash between Chaves and Famalicao, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Chaves play host to Famalicao on Friday night knowing that only a win will do if they want to avoid relegation from the Primeira Liga.
At a time when the home side sit in 17th position in the standings, Famalicao occupy eighth spot, the highest position that they can finish this campaign.
Match preview
After losing their opening five matches of the season, Chaves were always going to struggle to avoid relegation, and they have performed admirably to still be in contention at this stage.
However, last weekend’s 3-0 home defeat to Porto has left Moreno‘s side knowing that only ending the campaign with back-to-back wins will be enough to give them any chance of avoiding the drop to the second tier.
With a trip to champions Sporting Lisbon on the final matchday, there is an acceptance that the task in front of them is most likely unachievable, particularly when just 23 points have been collected from 32 matches.
Chaves have also prevailed in just two of their last 20 fixtures in Primeira Liga, those successes coming against 14th-placed Boavista and bottom-placed Vizela.
Moreno’s team also head into their concluding match at Estadio Municipal de Chaves having failed to win any of their last five fixtures on home territory.
On a positive note, Chaves did start the year with a 2-2 draw against Famalicao in the reverse fixture, and their next opponents have been far from impressive since then.
Just five victories have been posted in 16 league fixtures, yet the latest result for Famalicenses suggests that they are determined to end an otherwise-solid campaign on a high.
Armando Evangelista watched his side score twice in the final 19 minutes of their game with Benfica on Sunday to earn a 2-0 victory, subsequently handing Sporting the league title in the process.
That ended a run of four matches without success, although Famalicao did have a 2-2 draw at Porto included in that period, but they head into this fixture sitting just two points ahead of ninth with two matches left.
Chaves Primeira Liga form:
Famalicao Primeira Liga form:
Team News
With Junior Pius serving a suspension for Chaves, Moreno could take the opportunity to revert to a back three.
That may result in Canada international Steven Vitoria returning to the side, with Sandro Cruz being used at left wing-back to deputise for Pius.
Guima is another player who could come back into contention if Moreno opts for a central-midfield three.
Famalicao will have to make a change in attack with Jhonder Cadiz serving a suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.
Florian Danho may lead the line with Henrique Araujo missing through injury, but the rest of the side could stay the same given the magnitude of their win last time out.
Chaves possible starting lineup:
Souza; Fernandes, Vitoria, Nogueira; Correia, Essugo, Nwakali, Morim, Cruz; Hernandez, Ribeiro
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Aguirregabiria, Mihaj, Haas, Moura; Youssouf, Topic; Rodriguez, Sa, Chiquinho; Danho
We say: Chaves 1-2 Famalicao
With Chaves almost at the point of no return, they will have to throw caution to the wind in this contest. However, we feel that Famalicao may net an early goal and successfully negotiate the remainder of the contest to secure the three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.