Famalicao will be looking to put some more breathing room between themselves and the relegation zone when they take on Vizela in the Primeira Liga on Friday night.

The home side are currently 14th in the league standings, while the visitors are faring slightly better and will commence proceedings in 11th.

Match preview

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Famalicao have failed to build on an eighth-placed finish in the Portuguese top flight last season, finding themselves just two points clear of 16th-placed Gil Vicente, who occupy the relegation playoff spot.

A lack of goals has been the downfall of Joao Pedro Sousa's side for the majority of the season, scoring just three goals in their last six outings and never managing more than one in a single match.

That followed on from a terrible start to the campaign, in which Famalicao won just one of their opening seven matches, only managing to score one goal in the process.

However, there is now some cause for optimism for the Vila Nova club, as they have won their last two matches, keeping clean sheets in both to put an end to their terrible away record, which had plagued them all season.

Prior to the 2-0 victory at Chaves last time out, Sousa's side had not won on their travels in the league, but goals from Jhonder Cadiz and Ivan Jaime put a stop to that poor run, and they will now want to back it up with a win back on home soil.

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Vizela have made a solid, if not spectacular start to the Primeira Liga season, managing to avoid being involved in any imminent relegation danger by building up a six-point gap between themselves and the bottom three.

Of the 18 points that the Vizelenses have picked up this season, 11 of them have been away from home, so they will be full of confidence heading into the game, knowing that they are more than capable of getting a result.

Alvaro Pacheco's side also boast a fantastic defensive record this term, conceding just 13 goals in the league, the lowest amount of any side outside of the European qualification places, and this has been on display in recent matches.

While a 2-0 victory away at bottom-of-the-table Pacos Ferreira prior to the World Cup break was to be expected, Vizela really showed their mettle against Guimaraes last time out.

Pachecho's men romped home to a very impressive 3-0 victory at home to sixth-placed Guimaraes, with Samu bagging a brace and Milutin Osmajic adding another for good measure in stoppage time, and they are now seeking their third league win on the spin.

Team News

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Given that both teams secured victories in their last match, it is unlikely that either manager rings the changes, with both teams set to remain the same.

Long-term absentee Theo Fonseca is still unavailable for Famalicao, so Pablo and Ivan Jaime are likely to start on the wing, with the latter scoring his second goal of the season in the last match.

The duo will play provider for striker Jhonder Cadiz, who finally got off the mark for the season in the last match, having previously gone nine league games without a goal.

As for Vizela, a 4-3-3 system brought them a lot of success against Guimaraes, and there is seemingly no reason for Pacheco to deviate from this formation, with Milutin Osmajic continuing to lead the line.

The striker is set to start over the visitors' top Primeira Liga scorer, Nelson Luz, who has had to settle for cameo appearances in two of the last three matches.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Luiz; Penetra, Mihaj, Riccieli, Moura; Colombatto, Assuncao, Sa, Jaime, Pablo; Cadiz

Vizela possible starting lineup:
Buntic; Juliao, Valdez, Anderson, Pereira; Samu, Claudemir, Guzzo; Bondoso, Moreira, Osmajic

We say: Famalicao 0-1 Vizela

Vizela have been very solid defensively this season, and for that reason we expect them to keep a clean sheet, in a narrow victory on the road.

Pacheco's side comfortably dispatched of Guimaraes last time out, a team that are far superior to Famalicao, and so they should be expected to make it three wins on the spin in the Primeira Liga.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Dominic Lund

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