Portimonense welcome Famalicao this coming Friday as they look to rediscover their form, having experienced a torrid start to the season.
Portimonense came away from their last fixture with no points, having been narrowly edged out by Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-0.
While Famalicao are also experiencing a difficult run, they will take heart from their most recent league display, taking a point away from their matchup with league leaders Sporting Lisbon.
Match preview
© Reuters
At the start of the season, Paulo Sergio would have been hoping his side could kick on and avoid another relegation battle, but after nine games, it is looking as though they may once again be pulled into a fight to avoid the drop.
Sergio's men have lost four of their last five, and six of the season's first nine games, with a win at home to Nacional the only highlight of what has been a bleak season so far.
Portimonense sit in 17th place, but are level on points with bottom side Maritimo. That said, all it will take is a convincing win for them to rise as high as 10th in the division, should results go their way.
The Black and Whites have only scored six goals all season, which is the third fewest in the league so far, and might explain the rumours that they are looking to sign veteran playmaker Keisuke Honda from Botafogo.
With or without Honda, Sergio will be hoping his side can get a result on Friday and start to build some confidence before they travel to Benfica the week after next.
© Reuters
Joao Pedro Sousa will be pleased with his side's character after coming from 2-1 down against Sporting Lisbon to snatch an equaliser in the 89th minute, thanks to Jhonata Robert's strike.
Sousa and his team now sit 11th in the table, six points adrift of the European qualifying spaces, but more alarmingly, only three clear of the relegation zone.
The Famalicenses will be keen to pick up more points on the road, having lost three of their five away matches this season, and Sousa will see Portimonense as the ideal opponent to set the record straight given their poor home form.
The last meeting between these two sides was in June when it finished 1-0 to Portimonense after a Ricardo Vaz Te goal was enough to win it for the Algarve-based side.
Portimonense Primeira Liga form: WLLLWL
Portimonense form (all competitions): LLLLWL
Famalicao Primeira Liga form: DLWWLD
Famalicao form (all competitions): LWWLDL
Team News
© Reuters
Famalicao will welcome the return of Diogo Queiros, who tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of last month, missing the visit of Sporting.
Goalkeeper Vana should also be available after he recently tested negative for COVID-19, but Anderson Silva is still absent after undergoing surgery in September.
For Portimonense, Lucas Fernandes remains unavailable due to a knee injury.
Pedro Sa is also an injury concern as he is struggling with an arm injury, with Romulo set to deputise if he fails to recover.
Julio Cesar put in a decent performance playing in midfield last time out and might get another opportunity to feature.
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Moufi, Antonio, Willyan, Cande; Dener, Luquinhas, Cesar; Oliveira, Fabricio, Morte
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Dias, Babic, Riccieli, Herrera; Jordao, Pereyra, Assuncao, Valenzuela; Trotta, Jaime
We say: Portimonense 1-1 Famalicao
With Portimonense fighting for their lives at the pit of the table, we expect they will set out to be hard to beat from the outset. However, Famalicao have conceded a league-high 18 goals, and as a result, we expect both sides to get on the scoresheet with the match ending honours even.
