Out of form and in danger of losing their top-flight status, bottom club Boavista welcome Famalicao to Estadio do Bessa Seculo XXI in Friday's Primeira Liga action.
While the Chequered Ones and Fama are both winless in nine heading into gameweek 20, the hosts are five points off a relegation playoff place and six from escaping the dreaded positions heading into this weekend's match-ups.
Match preview
© Imago
Despite Boavista's precarious position, Cristiano Bacci has kept his job as the Panthers' head coach, with last season's 15th-placed side bottom of the standings in 2024-25.
There was a glimmer of hope when the Chequered Ones claimed a 2-1 away win at Gil Vicente at the start of November — that success ended an eight-match wait for maximum points — but the last nine have led to a slide to the foot of the table.
Although Os Axadrezados initially secured hard-fought draws during the ongoing run, falling to four consecutive losses have undermined Bacci's men in their attempts to beat the drop, with seemingly close defeats by Arouca (3-1) and Casa Pia (3-2) bookended by heavy losses at the hands of Porto (4-0) and Braga (3-0).
The club's ill-discipline has been a standout characteristic in recent rounds, as evidenced by Sebastian Perez, Pedro Gomes and Rodrigo Abascal receiving their marching orders against Arouca, Casa Pia and Braga respectively.
Winless on home soil since March 2024 — a 1-0 success over Moreirense — Bacci may have inherited a challenging situation, but he has been in charge of a club that have fallen to six defeats in nine Liga matches heading into Friday.
© Imago
Famalicao aim to extend that winless home streak to 10 this term and 14 overall since March last year when they travel to the cellar-dwelling hosts, against whom they have an encouraging record.
Fama are undefeated in this fixture since October 2022, claiming three victories in the previous five, including a 1-0 success in August's reverse fixture.
Hugo Oliveira has since replaced Armando Evangelista, even if that managerial change is yet to bear fruit with Famalicenses winless in six Liga games under the new boss, playing out three draws and losing as many.
Although Vila Nova suffered a 4-0 hammering at Benfica in their recent away fixture, the 12th-placed side previously played out a 3-3 draw at Braga and held Casa Pia to a 1-1 tie, losing a 2-0 and 3-1 advantage in the former and pegging back their hosts in the latter.
Indeed, it will be fascinating to see which version of the away side surfaces on Friday as Oliveira's men are not out of the woods regarding survival — they are four points clear of Estrela da Amadora in 16th and six above second-bottom Farense.
Team News
© Imago
Abascal is suspended after his straight red for violent conduct against Braga, while Gomes, sent off against Casa Pia, is still missing; Bruno Onyemaechi, absent through suspension against Braga, has now left the club to join Greek side Olympiacos.
The bottom-placed hosts are without Joao Goncalves and Luis Pires, who are expected to miss the season due to severe knee injuries.
Miguel Reisinho has scored 31% of the Panthers' 13 Liga goals and the midfield man aims to add to his four strikes on Friday.
Although Tom van de Looi was back in the Famalicao XI against Estrela, Rafa Soares was missing and the defender will be assessed before Friday; however, Yassir Zahiri and Ivan Zlobin, absent since November and December, are not expected to play any part.
Despite the team's winless run, Fama have players with match-winning expertise in Oscar Aranda (five goals), Gil Dias and Sorriso (four each) and the trio could be utilised in varying capacities in gameweek 20.
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Dutra; Miguel, Marques, Ferreira, Silva; Ribeiro, Perez, Camara, Barros; Namora, Bozenik
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Carevic; Pinheiro, Mihaj, De Haas, Calegari; Looi, Topic; Dias, Sa, Aranda; Sejk
We say: Boavista 1-1 Famalicao
It is hard to make a case for either side, with both winless in nine, though Famalicao have notched two points to Boavista's none in 2025. Thus, the spoils could be shared between the out-of-form clubs in round 20.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
