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NederlandSC Farense will look to jump out of the bottom two of the Primeira Liga table on Thursday, when they welcome Vitoria de Guimaraes to the Estadio de Sao Luis.
The hosts find themselves four points adrift of automatic safety with four games of the season left to play, while the visitors picked up just their second win from their last nine games last time out to strengthen their position in sixth spot.
Match preview
© Reuters
Farense picked up a creditable point last time out, as they travelled to take on Gil Vicente who sat 12th at the time.
Neither side were able to break the deadlock despite plenty of chances at both ends, and Os Leoes de Faro's unbeaten run was stretched to three games as a result.
Before that, Jorge Costa's men were somewhat unlucky to be held to a 1-1 draw by Portimonense, as Aylton Boa Morte equalised in the final 10 minutes after Pedro Henrique gave Farense an early lead.
That followed an impressive 2-0 away win over fifth-placed Pacos de Ferreira, as late goals from Ryan Gauld and Fabricio Isidoro sealed three crucial points.
As a result of their slight upturn in form, Costa's men have kept their survival hopes alive, although they still have much more work to do if they are to avoid dropping straight back down to Portugal's second tier.
With twelve points left to play for, Os Leoes de Faro sit two points behind Boavista in the relegation playoff place and four points adrift of automatic safety, meaning they need to continue their unbeaten run if they are to stand a chance of breaking out of the bottom three.
They face a tough challenge though, as Vitoria de Guimaraes visit the Estadio de Sao Luis on the back of a 2-0 victory over Moreirense.
Joao Henriques's side took the lead in the 26th minute of that game through young centre-back Andre Amaro, and Andre Almeida added a second goal four minutes later to give them a cushion and secure an important win for Os Vimaranenses.
That was just a second win for Vitoria in the last nine league matches, having suffered seven defeats in that time.
While they have fallen behind sixth-placed Pacos de Ferreira as a result of that poor run of form, that win did see Henriques's men stretch the gap between themselves and seventh-placed Santa Clara to four points with four games of the season left to play.
The Guimaraes outfit will now look to firmly put that run of defeats behind them, as they aim to record back-to-back league victories for the first time since January.
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Team News
Farense will remain without goalkeeper Rafael Defendi, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season with an ankle injury.
In his absence, veteran goalkeeper Beto has come into the side between the sticks, and his clean sheet last time out will give Costa confidence.
Andre Pinto and Cesar played a key role in that clean sheet to secure a point last time out, and they will partner up again at the heart of the defence on Thursday.
They will be boosted by the return of midfielder Jonatan Lucca, who missed the Gil Vicente match through suspension.
After an impressive clean sheet last time out, Vitoria will be disappointed to lose experienced defender Silvio for Thursday's game, as he will serve a suspension having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in that victory.
That should see Abdul Mumin return to the back three alongside Easah Suliman and 18-year-old Andre Amaro, who netted the opening goal against Moreirense.
At the other end of the pitch, Andre Almeida rewarded Henriques's decision to move him into a forward role, as he found the net for the second time in the top flight this season.
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Beto; Tavares, Cesar, Pinto, Abner; Lucca, Oudrhiri; Lica, Gauld, Mansilla; Henrique
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Suliman, Amaro, Mumin; Sacko, Andre, Pepelu, Mensah; Almeida, Estupinan, Rochinha
We say: SC Farense 1-2 Vitoria de Guimaraes
Although Farense come into this game in a slightly more positive run of form, we see them falling just short at home on Thursday.
If this strong Vitoria squad can build on the victory last time out and put their poor run behind them, they should have too much quality for Farense.
