Preview: Famalicao vs. Maritimo - prediction, team news, lineups

Famalicao go in search of their first win of the Primeira Liga campaign when they take on Maritimo at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Saturday.

​The visitors head into the game seeking to end their three-game winless run and to get one over the hosts, having lost in both home and away fixtures against them last season.

Match preview

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Famalicao were denied their first win of the season last Sunday, when they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Moreirense at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas.

After falling behind to Raphael Martin's 11th-minute opener, Simon Banza struck twice to turn the game on its head before Andre Luis restored parity in the 71st minute.

Prior to that, the Famalicenses put on an impressive defensive display to hold reigning champions Sporting Lisbon to a 1-1 draw and end their run of three losses on the trot.

Famalicao, who secured a ninth-placed finish last term, have now failed to pick up a win in their first five games for the first time since returning to the top flight in 2019.

However, following positive displays against Sporting Lisbon and Moreirense, Ivo Vieira will feel confident in his side's chances of ending this dry spell as they welcome an opposing side who they are unbeaten against in the last five meetings between the teams since 2016.

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Maritimo, on the other hand, failed to move into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings last Monday, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Arouca on home turf.

In a game in which Andre Vidigal saw red, goals from Ricardinho and Ali Alipour cancelled out Andre Bukia's eighth-minute opener and gave the hosts a 2-1 lead heading into the break, before Andre Silva restored parity with eight minutes remaining on the clock.

That was a second draw in three games for Julio Velazquez's side, who are winless in four of their five outings so far this term, with a 2-1 victory over Belenenses on August 16 being the only exception.

As a result, O Maior das Ilhas have dropped to 11th place in the Portuguese top flight, three points and six places above Saturday's hosts, but could move as high as fifth should they claim all three points.

Maritimo follow this game with the daunting task of taking on reigning champions Sporting Lisbon, while Famalicao host Segunda Liga side Penafiel in the Taca da Liga Group B opener next Wednesday.

Team News

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Famalicao's only injury concern remains Portuguese forward Heriberto Tavares, who has been out of action since sustaining a muscle injury back in May.

However, they will be boosted by the return of Pedro Marques, who came on for the final 10 minutes against Moreirense last time out after recovering from an injury that ruled him out for four months.

Banza, who recently completed a loan move from Lens, got off to a flying start as he hit a brace in his debut last time out, and the Frenchman will be one to watch out for in attack.

Meanwhile, Maritimo will take to the pitch without the services of Italian forward Stefano Beltrame, who picked up a groin injury back in May's game against Sporting Lisbon.

He is joined on the club's injury table by Joel Tagueu, who trudged off the pitch with a 19th-minute injury in their league curtain-raiser against Braga back in August.

Andre Vidigal will also sit out the game as he serves a one-match suspension after picking up a red card against Arouca last time out, and in his absence, veteran forward Edgar Costa could come in for his second starting appearance of the season.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Figueiras, Batubinsika, Riccieli, Lima; Pickel, Tavares; I Rodrigues, Jaime, B Rodrigues; Banza

Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Junior, Saenz, Andrade; Winck, V Costa, Pelagio, Mendes; Xadas, E Costa, Alipour

We say: Famalicao 2-0 Maritimo

Saturday's game sees two sides battling to put together a fine run of form go toe-to-toe.

Famalicao have been solid in their recent home games in the league, picking up two wins and two draws from their last five outings, and we are tipping them to extend their dominance over the visitors and get their season up and running.