Preview: Boavista vs. Portimonense - prediction, team news, lineups

With two games of the domestic season left to play, Boavista will look to break out of the bottom three of the Primeira Liga table on Saturday, as they play host to Portimonense.

As Panteras currently occupy the relegation playoff place, two points ahead of the drop zone, but they now sit just one point adrift of automatic safety.

Match preview

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Boavista suffered a narrow defeat on Tuesday, as they travelled to the Estadio Jose Alvalade to take on Sporting Lisbon, who would secure the league title with a victory.

Paulinho opened the scoring for the hosts on the half-hour mark, and Jesualdo Ferreira's side were unable to find an equaliser, falling to their 14th league defeat of the season as a result.

While that is by no means a devastating result against a side who have not lost a league game this season, it did mean that As Panteras now have just two games left to escape the bottom three, while they could still be dragged into the automatic drop zone if they suffer a defeat and 17th-placed Farense secure a victory on Saturday.

As a result, Ferreira will be desperate for his side to break their five-game winless run, which would see them fend off the bottom two and potentially jump into pole position to avoid the drop if Rio Ave do not manage to win their match.

They take on a Portimonense side who will aim to make a return to winning ways having failed to win any of their last five league outings.

Paulo Sergio's side suffered a narrow home defeat at the hands of Moreirense last time out, as Fabricio's opener for Portimonense was cancelled out by a Nahuel Ferraresi equaliser on the stroke of half time, before Goncalo Franco sealed all three points for the visitors with the winning goal in the 82nd minute.

That followed a 1-0 loss to Belenenses and a somewhat disappointing goalless draw with strugglers Rio Ave, meaning Serio's men have picked up just two points from their last five league games, having also drawn with relegation-threatened Farense at home.

While they are not threatened by relegation, Portimonense's poor form has seen them drop from a strong mid-table position back down to 13th place, having previously dragged themselves away from the bottom three with a run of three consecutive victories at the beginning of April.

With two games left to play, they will now focus on trying to achieve the highest possible league finish, with 11th-placed Gil Vicente and 12th-placed Tondela only sitting two points ahead of Sergio's side.

Team News

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Boavista's midfield remains weakened by injuries, as Miguel Reisinho and Javi Garcia continue spells on the sidelines.

The line will be led by Alberth Elis, who failed to score last time out but netted three goals in the previous two games to take his tally to eight league goals for the season.

He should be joined by Lille loanee Angel Gomes, while Yusupha Njie will also be pushing for a spot after he was reduced to a substitute appearance for Tuesday's trip to Sporting Lisbon.

Ferreira opted to play Jackson Porozo at the back on Tuesday over Chidozie Awaziem, breaking the familiar back three of Adil Rami, Cristian Devenish and Awaziem, and Porozo could remain in the XI for Saturday's clash.

Portimonense's only notable absentee should be midfielder Lucas Fernandes, who will miss out through injury.

They will be boosted by the return of right-back Fahd Moufi after he served a suspension last time out.

Their attack will be led by Beto, who has registered 11 goals and three assists in 28 league appearances this campaign.

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Leonardo; Porozo, Rami, Devenish; Cannon, Perez, Santos, Hamache; Njie, Elis, Gomes

Portimonense possible starting lineup:

Samuel; Moufi, Possignolo, Antonio, Cande; Sa, Clemente, Rocha; Boa Morte, Beto, Fabricio

We say: Boavista 2-0 Portimonense

With a tricky away game against Gil Vicente on the final day, Boavista will see this as their best opportunity to pick up a crucial victory to boost their survival bid, and we see them taking all three points on Saturday.

Portimonense seem to have taken their foot off the gas since they quickly climbed away from the drop zone, and they could be outfought by a Boavista side who have far more to play for.