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

Chaves will welcome Portimonense to Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira on Sunday afternoon, in a battle between two relegation-threatened sides.

The hosts are bottom of the league, while the visitors currently occupy the relegation playoff spot.

Match preview

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Chaves are on the verge of seeing their two-year stint in the top flight come to an end as they are currently stuck at the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings.

Joao Teixeira's men have only managed four wins in their 27 matches so far, losing 16 and drawn seven, while collecting a meagre 19 points. This puts them rock bottom of the table, four points behind Sunday's opponents, Portimonense, who currently occupy the relegation playoff spot.

Chaves' issues lie in their weak defence and misfiring attack, as they have conceded the second-most goals in the league (57) while only scoring 25 themselves (the lowest in the league).

They showed some resilience against title contenders Benfica last time out, but a 68th-minute goal from Joao Neves ended their resistance, leaving them winless in their last five games.

This weekend offers a chance to close the gap on another relegation-threatened side who they have a good home record against, having beaten them in three consecutive home matches and remaining unbeaten in the last four.

However, their form overall is concerning, as the Flavienses have not won in 14 of their last 15 matches, losing eight and drawing six, with their only victory in this period came against Boavista on 17th February (2-1).

Portimonense's 5-3 defeat to Braga was their 16th loss in the Primeira Liga this season, putting them joint-worst alongside Chaves in this regard.

This result leaves them precariously placed, just two points above the automatic relegation zone and three points behind 15th-placed Estrela Amadora.

Their last victory came against Boavista on 28th January. Since then, they have failed to win in nine matches, a run that began with consecutive defeats to Arouca and Estrela Amadora before draws with Vitoria de Guimaraes and Vizela were sandwiched between a heavy 4-0 defeat away at Benfica, followed by losses to Porto, Estoril, and Braga.

Paulo Sergio's side have a golden opportunity to end their winless run against the league's bottom club, a team they have already beaten this season (2-1 in the reverse fixture).

However, Portimonense have lost their last three away games and have only managed 10 points from a possible 39 on the road.

Team News

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The home side are going to be without Hugo Souza and Ruben Ribeiro, who are going to miss this clash as a result of a one-game suspension from accumulated yellow cards.

Ribeiro's absence could leave room for 24-year-old Benny to play from the start, playing in a supporting role behind the striker.

Hector Hernandez has 13 Primeira Liga goals this season and we expect the Spanish striker to spearhead Chaves' attack once again.

Portimonense have all players available for this fixture, with no one injured or suspended.

Midana Cassama and Helio Varela were given the nod as the attacking duo in a 3-5-2 last time out and should retain their spot on Sunday.

Chaves possible starting lineup: Souza; Nogueira, Fernandes, Pius; Carraca, Guima, Essugo, Sousa; Guzzo, Benny; Hernandez

Portimonense possible starting lineup: Nakamura; Henrique, Tornich, Relvas; Formiga, Dener, Nonoca, Seck; Jasper; Varela, Cassama

We say: Chaves 1-0 Portimonense

Desperate for points, relegation-battling Chaves hold a slight home advantage against winless Portimonense. Despite Chaves' poor form, their home record against Portimonense is strong. We expect a close encounter but the hope side are likely to edge this affair.

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