Casa Pia will be hoping to continue their upward trajectory in the Primeira Liga when they take on a stumbling Famalicao at Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior on Saturday afternoon.
Both these sides are tied on 19 points apiece heading into this fixture, although the hosts are in eighth place while the visitors are ninth owing to a goal difference of two.
Match preview
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Casa Pia endured a very poor start to the 2023-24 league campaign and were firmly in the relegation scrap after the first 10 gameweeks, during which time they managed just two league wins.
However, since the introduction of Pedro Moreira during the November international break, the Geese seem to have found their feet again and forced their way into the top half of the table in their first league match of 2024.
That came as a result of beating Moreirense, who have been very good this season, while they also secured three points against each of Portimonense (1-0) and Chaves (3-1) last month.
Over their last five league games, the hosts have suffered two defeats, both against top-four opponents Braga and Porto, although those 3-1 scorelines arguably flattered the winners as Casa Pia were more than competitive in both matches.
Despite facing a setback against Braga, the hosts did manage to claim their first home win this season against Portimonense last month and will be eager to get back to winning ways here against a Famalicao side that are far from impressive at this moment.
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In almost complete contrast, it has been something of a nightmare for Famalicao since they got back from the November international break, and they have been tumbling down the ranks almost week-on-week.
Fama's last match saw them play out a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Chaves, who have been rooted to the bottom of the table for the majority of the first half of the season.
That result also marked Joao Pedro Sousa's side's sixth consecutive game without a win, including three draws and three losses, while they were also sent packing from the Taca de Portugal, beaten 2-0 by Benfica at the end of November.
Unfortunately, the visitors will struggle to gain much confidence from their away record this season, with seven points taken in as many matches, while they have failed to win on the road since the opening week of the campaign.
Famalicao did beat this opponent 1-0 last season and will need to find a similar performance here, or they could find themselves slipping as low as 12th place if they lose and other results do not go their way.
Team News
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Felippe Cardoso was excellent, slotting away two goals last week against Moreirense, and he should retain his place in the frontline alongside Brazilian strike partner Clayton.
Kiki is the only listed absentee for the hosts in this match and is still several weeks away from returning to first-team action, while Beni is away representing Angola at the African Cup of Nations.
Gustavo Assuncao will be eligible to return for Famalicao in this match, having served his one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards in the first half of the season.
Otavio was left out in last week's 2-2 draw against Chaves and could return to the defence in this one, which should see Justin de Haas drop to the bench as a result.
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Batista; Larrazabal, Nunes, Zolotic, Lelo; Dias, Neto, Justo, Soma; Cardoso, Clayton
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Nathan, Mihaj, Otavio, Moura; Youssouf, Topic; Fonseca, Sa, Chiquinho; Cadiz
We say: Casa Pia 2-1 Famalicao
Famalicao cannot seem to buy a win right now and have been conceding with regularity in recent weeks. On the other hand, based on their performances over the last month, it feels as though something positive is brewing for Casa Pia under new leadership, and they will be determined to start the first of their back-to-back home games with three points. We are backing the hosts to come out on top in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
