Chaves continue their late push for survival when they play host to Estoril Praia at the Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira in round 30 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.
The Canarinhos have failed to win any of their last eight away games in the league since the start of December and will head into the weekend looking to end this poor run.
Match preview
© Reuters
Chaves kept their hopes of survival alive last Monday when they held their own to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over fellow bottom-dwellers Vizela at the Estadio do FC Vizela.
With both sides separated by just two points at the bottom of the table, Portuguese defender Jota Goncalves scored a 29th-minute own goal to condemn the Vizelenses to their 16th defeat of the season.
Prior to that, Chaves were on a six-match winless run, claiming two draws and losing four while conceding 12 goals and scoring five since — a run which has put their top-flight status under threat.
With 22 points from 29 games, the Flavienses are currently bottom but one in the Primeira Liga standings, one point above rock-bottom Vizela and five behind 16th-placed Portimonense in the relegation playoff spot.
Chaves now return home, where they are on a three-game losing streak and have won just one of their last eight matches, losing five and picking up two draws since December 17.
Joao Teixeira's men will be backing themselves to end this run on Sunday and secure consecutive wins for the first time since October as they take on an opposing side who have failed to win nine of their last 12 encounters, losing five and picking up four draws since September 2009.
© Reuters
Estoril Praia, on the other hand, were sent crashing back to earth in their battle for survival as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Braga when the sides met last weekend.
Following a goalless first half at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota, Atletico Bilbao loanee Alvaro Djalo came up clutch for Os Arcebispos as he netted the only goal of the game shortly after the hour mark.
Vasco Seabra's men were previously on a three-game unbeaten streak — picking up two wins and one draw since mid-March — their joint-longest run of consecutive league games without defeat this season.
The Canarinhos have now lost 16 of their 29 Primeira Liga matches so far while claiming eight wins and five draws to collect 29 points and sit 12th in the league table, two points above the relegation playoff zone.
While Estoril will be looking to return to winning ways and pull clear of the danger zone, they have struggled to get going on the road, where they are on a six-match winless run, claiming three draws and losing three, including a penalty shootout loss against Braga in the Taca da Liga final at the Estadio Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa on January 27.
Team News
© Reuters
Chaves will take to the pitch without the services of 22-year-old defender Bruno Rodrigues, who is set to sit out his sixth consecutive game since coming off injured against Arouca on March 1.
Other than that, the Flavienses head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and we expect Teixeira to name a similar side from last week's victory over Vizela, with Vasco Fernandes, Junior Pius and Ygor Nogueira forming the back three once again.
At the attacking end of the pitch, Hector Hernandez and Ruben Ribeiro should form the front two, while Dario Essugo, Raphael Guzzo and Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali should retain their roles in the centre of the park.
As for Estoril Praia, Seabra will be unable to call upon the services of experienced defender Erick Cabaco, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury last September.
He is joined on the club's injury table by 24-year-old midfielder Jordan Holsgrove, who has been sidelined since sustaining a muscle injury in the Taca da Liga final defeat against Braga back in January.
Chaves possible starting lineup:
Nogueira; Fernandes, Pius, Nogueira; Correia, Nwakali, Essugo, Guzzo, Carraca; Hernandez, Ribeiro
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Carne; Vital, Basso, Alvaro; Gomes, Araujo, Zanocelo, Fernandes; Guitane, Tavares, Cassiano
We say: Chaves 1-1 Estoril Praia
Chaves picked up three huge points in their battle at the bottom end of the table last time out and will head into this weekend with renewed confidence. However, both sides are evenly matched on paper and we predict that they will cancel out each other's efforts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
