Moreirense will look to end their winless run when they host bottom-placed Boavista on Sunday in round 26 of the Primeira Liga.
The Green and Whites sit 11th in the standings with 28 points, having failed to secure victory in their last three matches, while the visitors remain rooted to the foot of the table on 15 points, eight adrift of safety.
Match preview
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Having fallen at Famalicao, Moreirense, who appointed Cristiano Bacci afterward, have since avoided defeat, coming from behind to claim 1-1 draws against Estrela Amadora and Santa Clara.
While both equalisers arrived late, the most recent one carried extra weight, coming just four minutes from normal time and securing a rare point away from one of the league's strongest home sides, a feat made even sweeter after losing their previous four on the road.
However, beyond the euphoria of back-to-back draws, the concern for Moreirense is the creeping threat of another lengthy drought, having previously endured an eight-match winless streak in the top flight before snapping it with a 3-2 triumph over Casa Pia.
That victory marked a fifth in the league at their ground this season, with 20 of their 28 points coming at this venue — an encouraging tally that fuels belief they can dispatch Boavista this weekend, especially with the visitors suffering seven defeats in 12 away top-flight matches.
That said, recent home results in this fixture suggest it may not be as straightforward, as Moreirense have not won any of the last four encounters, drawing three and losing one.
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Meanwhile, Boavista failed to build on their victory over Santa Clara, falling 2-1 to Vitoria de Guimaraes last weekend.
The Chequered Ones seemed poised for their first consecutive wins of the season when Marco van Ginkel converted a penalty on the brink of half time, but an Ilija Vukotic own goal five minutes later shifted the momentum before Tiago Silva delivered the final blow to Lito Vidigal's side.
Boavista's campaign has been plagued by prolonged winless runs, occasionally punctuated by fleeting victories, with their latest triumph ending a 13-match drought comprising three draws and 10 defeats.
Os Axadrezados's struggles stem from their shortcomings at both ends of the pitch, failing to score in 14 of their 25 league matches while holding the division's worst attacking record with just 16 goals and the leakiest defence, having conceded 42.
With a significant gap to bridge for survival, Boavista know that securing maximum points is imperative, and as they seek a much-needed boost, they can take solace in the fact that two of their three wins this season have come away from home.
Team News
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Ivo Rodrigues is suspended for Moreirense after accumulating bookings, paving the way for either Jeremy Antonisse or Joel Jorquera to step in on the right flank.
Yan Maranhao came off the bench to salvage a point against Santa Clara and will push for a starting role in attack, his impact potentially giving him the edge over more experienced options, Luis Asue and Guilherme Schettine.
Sidney Tavares has also impressed as a substitute and may finally earn a start under Bacci's command, potentially replacing Ruben Ismael in the number six role.
Guilherme Liberato, Godfried Frimpong and Hernani Infande are set to miss out as they continue their recoveries from injury.
Robert Bozenik was surprisingly left out of Boavista's starting lineup last time out for the first time in nine months, but he is expected to reclaim his place in attack here, pushing Abdoulay Diaby to the bench.
Vidigal is likely to maintain the ultra-defensive setup deployed in recent matches, sticking with the 5-4-1 formation, with one of the wingers expected to drift into central areas.
Luis Pires, Joao Goncalves, Augusto Dabo, Marco Ribeiro, Layvin Kurzawa and Tomas Silva are all ruled out through injury.
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Buta, Marcelo, Maracas, Pinto; Ofori, Tavares, Alanzinho; Teguia, Maranhao, Antonisse
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Cesar; Silva, Abascal, Lystsov, Fogning, Agra; Kone, Vukotic, Camara, Ginke; Bozenik
We say: Moreirense 2-0 Boavista
Both sides are playing in conditions that have suited them best, with Moreirense collecting most of their points on their own ground, while Boavista have earned the bulk of their meagre tally on the road.
However, the hosts' record stands out as the stronger of the two, and they will be determined to make it count as they seek to end their winless run.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
