Portimonense seek to leapfrog Famalicao in the Primeira Liga table when both sides face off in the round 13 meeting at Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Saturday.
The hosts have found some form in Portimao in recent games, and they aim to record another victory against a team with one win in six league matches.
Match preview
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Paulo Sergio's team began the 2023-24 season losing two of their first three games at home, but they have turned the tide in recent fixtures to defeat Estoril (1-0) and Chaves (2-1).
Having begun the season playing better on their travels than on home turf, Marafados' results have transposed recently, evidenced by consecutive home victories and three straight road defeats — they were triumphant in their first two away matches.
Even if every success had by Portimonense this season have been one-goal victories, Sergio's men have benefitted from those results to rank 10th in the standings.
The possibility of moving ahead of Famalicao in the table and rising as high as sixth should fuel the host side's motivation to outdo their opponents this Saturday.
With a superior head-to-head in the last five league meetings — Portimonense have won four of the recent five clashes — the home side should back themselves to demonstrate their dominance.
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As for the away side, their prospects of success appear slim if recent matches are anything to go by, with one league triumph in six rounds — a 3-1 win over Gil Vicente at the start of November.
Since that triumph, Famalicao have gone 180 minutes without scoring across games against Vizela (0-0) and Porto (0-3), suggesting the visitors have issues in the attacking third, especially as they were beaten 1-0 by Estrela before defeating Gil Vicente on November 4.
Joao Pedro Sousa will be keen to turn the tide for his side on Saturday, even if his troops must have the self-belief to improve on a poor record against this weekend's opponents.
They should be optimistic, having defeated Portimonense 1-0 in the most recent game between the clubs in February 2023, ending an eight-year wait for maximum points against Marafados since a 3-0 triumph in the second division.
It remains to be seen if that result is the catalyst to swing the Portimonense dominance in this fixture, but Fama undoubtedly hope that is the case heading into Saturday's encounter.
Team News
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Igor Formiga and Mauricio's injuries mean the pair are not expected to feature for Portimonense in round 13.
Midana Cassama is suspended after getting sent off for violent conduct in the closing minutes of the previous round's defeat by Casa Pia.
Fama are also without Zaydou Youssouf, who was sent off against Porto after receiving two yellows in the eventual 3-0 loss.
The division's lowest scorers (11 goals) may look to Jhonder Cadiz (three goals) to deliver the goods if they are to return to winning ways on Saturday.
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Vinicius; Seck, Pedrao, Relvas, Alemao, Costa; Jasper, Carlinhos, Denar, Varela; Carrillo
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Nathan, Haas, Riccieli, Moura; Topic, Assuncao; Rodriguez, Sa, Chiquinho; Cadiz
We say: Portimonense 1-0 Famalicao
This game between the division's lowest scorers could be edged by Portimonense, whose marginal victory worsens Fama's recent results in the competition.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
