Chaves and Casa Pia are separated by just two points in the Primeira Liga table as they prepare to do battle in northern Portugal on Saturday night.
Both sides have managed to establish mid-table security after gaining promotion last year, although Casa Pia's form has taken a turn for the worse of late.
Match preview
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Chaves finished four points behind Casa Pia last season before securing promotion to Portugal's top tier via the playoffs, and Vitor Campelos's men have exceeded all expectations since returning to the Primeira Liga.
With five games remaining, Chaves find themselves 15 points clear of the bottom three, having picked up positive results on a consistent basis throughout the campaign.
Granted, Campelos's side endured a sticky spell between December and March, registering a solitary victory in 10 league outings during that period, but they appear to have turned the corner in recent weeks.
Following back-to-back wins over Portimonense and Estoril Praia, Chaves suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Braga, but they have since taken five points from a possible nine, with a hugely impressive 1-0 victory over table-topping Benfica coming earlier this month.
Not only have Chaves lost just one of their last six matches, but they have also kept four clean sheets, so they will back themselves to extend their hot streak against off-form Casa Pia.
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It is worth remembering that Casa Pia made a flying start to their first top-flight campaign in 83 years, losing just one of their opening eight matches while picking up five wins.
However, the Geese have struggled to rediscover their early-season form throughout the campaign, winning six of their last 21 league encounters to kill any lingering hopes of snatching a European spot.
Having suffered a 1-0 defeat to Braga last time out – registering 36% possession and a solitary shot on target – Casa Pia head into Saturday's showdown on a run of three losses in four league outings.
When you look at the bigger picture, Felipe Martins's men have only managed to win two of their previous 11 Primeira Liga matches, recording three draws and six defeats along the way.
That said, the Geese can be proud of this season's efforts after gaining promotion last year, although they will be eager to end a seven-game winless run on the road, with five defeats coming since their last away victory.
Team News
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Chaves will be without the suspended Ricardo Guimaraes on Saturday after the defensive midfielder picked up a red card last time out, so Joao Pedro is expected to come into the starting XI.
On the injury front, Jonny Arriba, Goncalo Pinto and Edu remain sidelined for the hosts, leaving manager Vitor Campelos with several selection dilemmas.
Brazilian forward Juninho should continue to lead the line, with Joao Teixeira – who has bagged three goals and three assists this season – expected to control the midfield.
Casa Pia striker Leo Natel will miss the remainder of the campaign due to a broken leg, while Kiki also looks set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Derick Poloni and Leonardo Lelo are likely to occupy the wing-back roles, with Afonso Taira and Neto anchoring the midfield, enabling Yuki Soma and Saviour Godwin to join the attack.
Chaves possible starting lineup:
Vitor; Monte, Ponck, Vitoria, Langa; Pedro, Teixeira; Correia, Mendes, Sousa; Juninho
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Batista; Nunes, Varela, Zolotic; Poloni, Taira, Neto, Lelo; Soma, Rafael, Godwin
We say: Chaves 2-1 Casa Pia
Having lost one of their last six matches, Chaves look set to continue their strong end to the season with a narrow victory over Casa Pia, who are on course to suffer a sixth defeat in nine outings.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
