Preview: Boavista vs. Santa Clara - prediction, team news, lineups

Boavista and Santa Clara are separated by just four points but 10 places in the Primeira Liga table heading into Saturday's showdown between the two sides at Estadio do Bessa Seculo XXI.

The home side are in the relegation zone, whereas the visitors know a victory could boost their European aspirations.

Match preview

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A league-low tally of just one win in their opening 12 games has left Boavista with a real struggle on their hands as they head into the New Year sitting in the relegation zone.

However, a victory could take them out of the bottom two and move them up to at least 12th - and possibly as high as ninth - should other results go their way.

The home side arrives into the game following a goalless draw away from home at Maritimo, which extended their winless streak to six matches in all competitions.

Despite the struggle for victories, the Porto-based side managed to pick up a vital point and keep a clean sheet even though they have the worst defensive record in the league along with Tondela and Famalicao.

As for scoring goals, the home side are no better in that regard. In their last six league games, they have only managed to find the back of the net on three occasions.

This could be the time to change that as the fixture provides the perfect opportunity having won four of the last six meetings.

The visitors, however, will arrive in good spirits as they picked up a point against third-placed Benfica courtesy of a draw at home to keep up the pace for the European spots.

Fabio Cardoso's goal cancelled out the opener by Darwin Nunez in a game where they had less possession but made the most of the chances they created.

Their league form has not been the best with only one victory in their last six games, which has largely been due to their inability to keep clean sheets.

In the last nine league matches, they have failed to keep a clean sheet and the last time they did so was a 0-0 draw at home to Gil Vicente.

Once again, they will be tested by a side who are fighting for survival and with everything to play for.

Boavista Primeira Liga form: LDDDLD Boavista form (all competitions): DDLDLD

Santa Clara Primeira Liga form: LLWLLD Santa Clara form (all competitions): LWWLLD

Team News

Jesualdo Ferreira has only two absentees from this match, with Adil Rami out due to a muscle injury and Miguel Reisinho unavailable as a result of a long-term cruciate ligament rupture.

The home side can be expected to line up in a 4-3-3 with Angel Gomes leading the attack.

The away side have a fully fit squad to choose from with no injury concerns which will no doubt boost them. However, Fabio Cardoso's defensive capabilities will be missing after picking up too many yellow cards, and this will see a change at centre-half.

They could revert back to a 3-5-2 following the 4-2-3-1 against Benfica.

Boavista possible starting lineup: Leonardo; Cannon, Devenish, Awaziem, Hamache; Paulinho, Show, Santos; Elis, Gomes, Nije

Santa Clara possible starting lineup: Marco; Lucas, Villanueva, Afonso; Sagna, Carvalho, Rashid, Costinha, Ukra; Carlos, Moghanlou

We say: Boavista 1-1 Santa Clara

We say that the match will end in a draw as, although Boavista have historically done well in this fixture, their current form has not been great. Santa Clara will face a tough game, but we expect them to walk away with a point.

Top betting tip