Casa Pia and Boavista are separated by one place in the Primeira Liga table heading into their gameweek 20 encounter at Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior on Monday.
The home side were thrashed 8-0 by Sporting Lisbon last weekend, while the visiting team suffered defeat, losing 4-1 against Portimonense.
Match preview
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After losing two on the trot at their adopted home in Rio Maior, Casa Pia knew they faced an uphill task against league-leading Sporting, but none of the away support expected the beatdown that ensued in Lisbon.
Pedro Moreira's men were 3-0 down after 25 minutes before conceding two more before the interlude to trail 5-0, and three were scored by the Primeira Liga leaders after the break to inflict Casa Pia's heaviest defeat since gaining promotion last season.
Significantly outdoing the 4-0 loss against Estoril in November 2023, it was Os Gansos' 10th league reverse in year two, five fewer than 15 in 2022-23.
Worryingly for the home team are their goals conceded, with last weekend's eight taking them to 34, approaching the 40 they let in throughout their maiden campaign in the top division.
Moreira, who took charge on November 21, 2023, hopes for a response to end Casapianos' three-game losing run.
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While not on the same scale, Boavista are also reeling after last round's 4-1 home defeat against Portimonense, leaving them winless in front of their supporters since November.
The New Year began positively for new boss Ricardo Paiva, who replaced Petit in late December, with the relegation-threatened side securing a creditable point against Porto before thrashing cellar-dwelling Vizela 4-1.
However, both results have proved to be false dawns for the league's 13th-placed side, underscored by the 2-0 loss against Benfica and the recent one to Portimonense.
Be that as it may, the ambition to stay ahead of Casa Pia in the table and possibly create separation from their hosts should spur Os Axadrezados on in Monday's fixture.
Boavista (20 points) cannot fall into the automatic relegation positions or the relegation playoff spot — even if losing to Os Gansos (19 points) and a Rio Ave (17 points) win could see them slide in the table — because Estoril and Estrela de Amadora (both on 18 points) play this weekend.
Team News
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Nuno Moreira and Andre Lacximicant could play in some capacity after recently signing for Casa Pia from Vizela and Braga B, respectively.
Kiki Silva is still in the wars after his ACL injury, and no expected return date is known for the midfielder.
Despite their insignificant game time for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, Boavista cannot call on Chidozie Awaziem and Bruno Onyemaechi for Monday's game, with the Super Eagles progressing into the competition's semi-finals after Friday's win over Angola.
Cesar is out with an ACL injury, while Augusto Dabo, Luis Pires and Salvador Agra are touch-and-go for gameweek 22 due to injury worries.
Martim Tavares may replace Robert Bozenik at centre-forward after the latter's unsanctioned trip to Sevilla during the week.
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Batista; Geraldes, Zolotic, Varela, Lelo; Dias, Beni, Brito, Roberto; Andrade, Lameiras
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Goncalves; Malheiro, Abascal, Sasso, Ferreira; Makouta, Perez, Reisinho; Agra, Tavares, Lourenco
We say: Casa Pia 1-1 Boavista
This fixture has ended 0-0 and 1-1 since Casa Pia's 2-0 triumph at the backend of August 2022, and another low-scoring draw could be in the offing, with both sides employing caution because of their recent dispiriting results.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
