Two sides enduring rough patches resume Primeira Liga action this weekend as Casa Pia welcome Rio Ave to Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior for a round 27 encounter.
The hosts are aiming to halt a three-match losing streak, while the Rioavistas arrive on the back of consecutive defeats.
Match preview
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What had been a steady campaign for Casa Pia is beginning to unravel, with their ambitions of a surprise push for European football taking a significant hit in recent weeks.
After losing just two of their previous 11 top-flight outings, winning seven and drawing two, Joao Pereira's side have now suffered three consecutive defeats, falling to Vitoria de Guimaraes, Sporting Lisbon and most recently Nacional, who handed them a 3-1 loss before the international break.
That result meant Casa Pia have failed to add to their 36-point tally since edging Gil Vicente on matchday 23, leaving them six points adrift of fifth-placed Santa Clara.
In a bid to return to winning ways this weekend and revive their European ambitions, Os Gansos face a side they have beaten only once in seven meetings across all competitions, including a 2-2 draw in last November's reverse fixture and a 3-1 Cup defeat at Rio Maior in January.
Encouragingly, their home form in the top flight has been solid, collecting 22 points from 13 games at this venue, offering hope of securing maximum points on Saturday.
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That possibility is further reinforced by Rio Ave's struggles on the road, with Petit's side losing nine of their 13 away matches this season – their eight points from a possible 39 rank them as the fourth-worst travellers in the division.
The Rioavistas enter this encounter following a dramatic 3-2 home defeat to Benfica two weeks ago, a gut-wrenching conclusion to a spirited comeback.
What could have been a hard-fought point after Brandon Aguilera and Clayton erased a two-goal deficit was undone in the 80th minute when Kerem Akturkoglu struck the winner, dealing Rio Ave a heavy blow.
While the outcome marked a second successive league defeat for the Vilacondenses, it also highlighted their inconsistency, with just one win in their last seven games in the competition.
As a result, they sit 12th in the standings with 29 points, six clear of the relegation playoff spot, and a victory this weekend would offer much-needed breathing space.
Team News
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Casa Pia's veteran centre-back Jose Fonte has returned to training after missing the Nacional defeat and could provide crucial experience if selected.
The 41-year-old former Southampton defender is likely to partner Duplexe Tchamba Bangou and Ruben Kluivert in a back three.
Cassiano is also fully fit after making a 29-minute cameo last time out and should lead the line, pushing Caue to the bench.
Jeremy Livolant impressed as a substitute in that match and may be rewarded with a start, potentially replacing either Korede Osundina or Pablo Roberto.
Meanwhile, Clau Mendes (sprain) and Kiki (unspecified) remain sidelined as they continue their recovery.
For Rio Ave, the absence of Clayton will be a major blow, with the team's top scorer sent off against Benfica in stoppage time and now suspended, leaving Karem Zoabi – expected to step in – with the tough task of filling the void in the number nine role.
Meanwhile, centre-back Francisco Petrasso and winger Tobias Medina remain doubtful, having missed multiple recent outings.
On a positive note, Martim Neto is available again after missing the Benfica clash due to being ineligible against his parent club, and his return would bolster Rio Ave's midfield options, as he competes with Ege Tiknaz and Ole Pohlmann for a starting spot.
Tiago Morais continues to make an impact off the bench, and Petit may be tempted to hand him a place in the lineup, potentially at the expense of Kiko Bondoso or Andre Luiz.
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Sequeira; Kluivert, Fonte, Tchamba; Larrazbal, Kraev, Brito, Lelo; Livolant, Cassiano, Osundina
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Miszta; Abbey, Panzo, Ntoi, Vrousai; Tiknaz, Neto, Aguilera; Luiz, Zoabi, Morais
We say: Casa Pia 2-0 Rio Ave
Both teams enter this clash on shaky ground, but Casa Pia hold the edge, buoyed by key returns, with Fonte and Cassiano potentially bolstering the lineup, while Clayton's absence further dents Rio Ave's prospects, making a home win likely.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
