Two sides who could do well with all three points square off in round 24 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga as Moreirense play host to Rio Ave at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on Saturday.
While Os verdes e brancos will be seeking to pull clear of the relegation zone, the visitors look to remain within touching distance of the fourth-placed Braga in the final European qualification spot.
Match preview
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Moreirense kept their European qualification dreams alive last Saturday as they scraped a 1-0 victory over 10-man Farense when the sides squared off at the Estadio de Sao Luis.
In a game where Brazilian defender Matheus received an early bath, Madson de Souza Silva came up clutch for the visitors as he struck shortly before the half-hour mark to hand the Leoes de Faro their 11th defeat of the season.
Having clinched the 2022-23 Segunda Liga title en route to securing a return to the top flight last May, Moreirense have placed themselves in the European qualification picture after what has been an impressive campaign.
Rui Borges's men have picked up 11 wins, five draws and lost seven of their 23 matches so far to collect 38 points and sit sixth in the Primeira Liga table, eight points off the Europa Conference League qualification spot with 11 games left to play.
Rio Ave, on the other hand, turned in an attacking show of class last weekend when they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with league leaders Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio dos Arcos.
Despite the efforts of Morteb Hjulmand, Viktor Gyokeres and Sebastian Coates, a brace from Abdul-Aziz Yakubu and Umaro Embalo's early strike helped the hosts force a share of the spoils.
Head coach Luis Freire will hope that spirited display can serve as a springboard for a fine run of form as Rio Ave head into Saturday in search of just their second win in eight matches since the turn of the year as they look to steer clear of the danger zone.
With 22 points from 23 Primeira Liga matches, the Vilacondenses are currently 14th in the league table, level on points with Estoril Praia, Estrela Amadora and 16th-placed Portimonense in the relegation playoff spot.
Rio Ave's underwhelming campaign has been owing to their struggles on the road, where they are the only side yet to taste victory in the league — losing six and claiming three five in 11 matches — and have picked up the fewest number of points so far (5).
Team News
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Moreirense will take to the pitch without Senegalese defender Alhassane Sylla, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Former Braga forward Hernani Ifande made his return from a long injury spell when he was handed a six-minute cameo against Farense last time out and the 23-year-old should start from the bench this weekend.
With his winner in the aforementioned game, Silva now has scored each of Moreirense's two goals in their last three matches and the Brazilian forward will look to deliver the goods once again.
As for Rio Ave, Croatian defender Renato Pantalon picked up a red card against Sporting Lisbon last time out and the 26-year-old will serve his one-game suspension this weekend.
In his absence, 34-year-old Aderllan Santos should come into the fold for his 22nd league start of the season, forming the back three with Josue Sa and Portuguese centre-back Miguel Nobrega.
On the injury front, Freire will be unable to call upon the services of experienced forward Andre Perreira, who has been sidelined since coming off injured against Vitoria de Guimaraes in December.
Aziz have been a standout performer for Rio Ave in recent weeks and the Ghanaian striker, who has four goals in his last three matches, should spearhead the attack once again, alongside Joao Graca and January signing Embalo.
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Fabiano, Ponck, Maracas, Frimpong; Castro, Franco; Madson, Ofori, Camacho; Asue
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Jhonatan; Sa, Santos, Nobrega; Costinha, Oudrhiri, Vrousai, Ronaldo; Graca, Aziz, Embalo
We say: Moreirense 2-1 Rio Ave
Moreirense will be looking to pick up where they left off against Farense as they must avoid any slip-ups in their quest to secure European football. While we expect Rio Ave to put up a fight, their performances on the road have been nothing to write home about this season. That said, we fancy Borges's men to claim all three points in front of their home supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
