Two sides straddling the divide between the top and bottom halves of the Primeira Liga standings will meet on Monday evening as Famalicao host Rio Ave for a round 25 encounter.
Only two points separate the teams, with the hosts sitting ninth after collecting 31 points from 24 matches, while the visitors are just beneath them in 10th, having played the same number of games.
Match preview
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Famalicao enter this encounter seeking the perfect response after suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat away to Nacional last weekend.
Oscar Aranda had restored parity in the 56th minute after Fama conceded an early strike from Daniel Penha, only for that effort to be rendered futile as Chileb Labidi struck in the 94th minute to deal a crushing blow to Armando Evangelista's men.
The defeat ended Famalicao's five-match unbeaten streak of three wins and two draws, marking the first time they had conceded since shipping four against Benfica just before that run.
Azuis e Brancos will now look to secure a bounce-back victory to prevent another prolonged drought, having previously endured an eight-game winless league spell, with that heavy loss to the Eagles being the final result in that stretch, before their recent revival began with a draw.
They had also endured a dismal run in front of their fans, failing to claim all three points in nine consecutive top-flight outings, until snapping that streak in their most recent such fixture with a 2-0 result against Moreirense — a performance Fama will look to build upon on Monday.
Further bolstering their confidence is the fact that they welcome a side they defeated in their last meeting at home, having claimed a 2-1 win over Rio last term.
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The visitors, on the other hand, enter this fixture searching for their first-ever top-flight victory against Famalicao after failing to do so in their previous nine attempts, including a 1-1 stalemate in the reverse fixture in October.
In fact, their only triumph over Fama came in the Taca de Portugal in December 2020, when they secured a 2-1 triumph at home — a result Vilacondenses can take inspiration from as they aim for back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025.
Last time out, Rio snapped a three-match winless run consisting of two draws and a defeat, edging Braga 2-1 courtesy of Jonathan Panzo's decisive 70th-minute strike, a result that lifted Petit's side one place up the standings.
That was their fifth league victory on home soil, where they have claimed 21 points from a possible 36 — a stark contrast to their away form.
Petit's men have struggled on their travels, winning just twice and suffering eight defeats, while their meagre eight points from 12 matches leave them among the league's worst travellers.
Their struggles on the road stem from shortcomings at both ends, conceding 22 — the joint second most of any away side — while their return of eight goals scored offers little respite, making Rio's -14 goal difference the worst in the division.
Team News
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Famalicao have a fully fit squad available, with Ivan Zlobin making the bench last time out after a long injury layoff, though he remained an unused substitute.
Gustavo Sa is also back in contention after serving a suspension in that defeat, and he is expected to return to the number 10 role.
In contrast, the visitors have a couple of injury concerns, with Francisco Petrasso and Tobías Medina both doubtful to feature.
Martim Neto could be handed a start in midfield if Petit opts for changes, while Nelson Abbey and Omar Richards will be vying for the left-back spot.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Carevic; Pinheiro, Mihaj, De Haas, Soares; De Amorim, Van de Looi; Sorriso, Sa, Aranda; Sejk
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Miszta; Vrousai, Ntoi, Abbey, Richards; Tiknaz, Pohlmann, Neto; Bondoso, Clayton, Morais
We say: Famalicao 2-0 Rio Ave
Having ended their home struggles with a win over Moreirense, Famalicao will be eager to build on that result, especially against a Rio side that has faltered on the road, making a triumph for the hosts the most likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
