Preview: AVS vs Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

AVS will aim to build on their spirited showing last time out as they welcome Famalicao to Estadio do CD Aves for round four of the 2025-26 Primeira Liga campaign.

The hosts battled to a 2-2 draw against Braga on Sunday and now go in search of their first triumph of the season against the visitors from Vila Nova, who are yet to suffer defeat this term.

Match preview

Taking a point away at Braga was certainly a commendable effort, yet manager Jose Mota would have been left ruing his side’s inability to close out the contest.

AVS had overturned an early deficit to lead 2-1 before the interval and were minutes away from a maiden victory, but Fran Navarro’s strike in the 87th dashed those hopes.

As a result, the Vila das Aves have taken just one point from their opening three games, scoring three goals while conceding seven, and Mota will no doubt use last weekend’s resilience as a rallying cry ahead of Saturday’s encounter.

History, however, does little to boost their confidence, as AVS lost both of their previous meetings with Famalicao, suffering 3-2 and 4-1 defeats across last season’s Primeira Liga fixtures, which happened to be their debut in the top flight.

The Vila das Aves outfit did manage to secure back-to-back campaigns in the first tier through the playoffs, having spent much of 2024-25 flirting with relegation, but they must quickly find solutions to avoid another prolonged battle at the foot of the table.

Famalicao, on the other hand, are seasoned top-flight campaigners and have consistently held their own, finishing in the top half of the standings in each of the last six terms.

Having come close to clinching a first European berth with a seventh-place finish in 2024-25, the Vila Nova appear determined to go one better this season, with two wins and a draw from their opening three outings.

That said, last weekend’s goalless stalemate against Gil Vicente may be viewed as a slight setback, though Fama would have felt relieved to leave with a point given they faced eight attempts on target compared to their own three.

Hugo Oliveira’s men remain one of only three teams yet to concede a goal this season, and that defensive steel will again be Famalicao’s foundation as they look to claim maximum points this weekend.

AVS Primeira Liga form:

AVS form (all competitions):

Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

Famalicao form (all competitions):

Team News

Rafael Barbosa was instrumental in AVS’s battling display at Braga, scoring once and assisting another, making him almost undroppable for this encounter.

Diego Duarte also found the net on his first start for the club and is expected to lead the line again ahead of Nene and Jordi Escobar.

Famalicao completed the loan signing of Antoine Joujou in midweek, and the youngster could be handed his debut with some minutes from the bench.

Goalkeeper Lazar Carevic, who produced eight saves against Gil Vicente, is expected to retain his place ahead of Ivan Zlobin.

On the injury front, wingers Rochinha and Oscar Aranda continue their recovery and will not feature this weekend.

AVS possible starting lineup:

Simao; Kiki, Santos, Devenish, Spencer; Lima, Grau, Algobia; Akinsola, Duarte, Barbosa

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Carevic; Soares, Haas, Realpe, Pinheiro; Amorim, Looi; Sorriso, Sa, Dias; Elisor

We say: AVS 0-1 Famalicao

Although AVS showed grit last time out, a resolute Famalicao side with momentum on their side looks unlikely to provide the breakthrough the hosts crave, and the visitors should edge this contest courtesy of their rock-solid defence.

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