Chaves and Famalicao take to the pitch for the last time in 2022 on Friday when they lock horns at the Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira in round 14 of the Primeira Liga.
Both sides, who were recently dumped out of the Taca da Liga in the group stages, will head into the weekend in search of a pick-me-up as they look to close out the year on a high.
Match preview
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Chaves were condemned to yet another early cup exit as they picked up just one point from their three Taca da Liga games during the World Cup break to finish rock-bottom in Group A.
Vitor Campelos's men kicked off their League Cup campaign on November 22, when they came from behind twice to salvage a 2-2 draw against Vizela, before suffering successive defeats against Porto and Segunda Liga side Mafra in their final two outings.
Prior to that, Chaves were dumped out of the Taca de Portugal in the third round after suffering a disappointing 3-2 loss at the hands of Campeonato de Portugal outfit Valadares Gaia FC.
They now return to the Primeira Liga, where they secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Casa Pia at the National Sports Center of Jamor on November 13 to end a two-game winless run in their final outing before the break.
The Flavienses have picked up five wins, four draws and lost four of their 13 matches this season to collect 19 points and sit ninth in the league standings, level on points with Rio Ave, Portimonense and Arouca.
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Despite picking up a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Estoril Praia last time out, Famalicao saw their Taca da Liga campaign come to an end in the group stages as they finished third in Group H.
Santiago Colombatto's ninth-minute penalty was enough to separate the sides at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota, but a run of two draws and one defeat in their opening three matches saw the Vila Nova finish three points off group winners Academico Viseu FC.
Famalicao now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they are winless in each of their last three matches, picking up one point from a possible nine since October's 2-1 victory over Pacos de Ferreira.
With 11 points from a possible 13 matches, Joao Pedro Sousa's side are currently 15th in the Primeira Liga standings, two points above 16th-placed Gil Vicente in the relegation playoff spot.
Famalicao's underwhelming campaign has been owing to their struggles on the road, where they are without a win this season and hold the league's worst record with two points from their last seven matches.
Team News
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Chaves will take to the pitch without the services of Hector Hernandez, who suffered a knee injury in the cup game against Porto on December 8.
He is joined on the club's injury table by 25-year-old defender Bruno Langa, who is currently recuperating from a hamstring problem.
As for Famalicao, Theo Fonseca suffered an ACL injury in October's game against Boavista and the Portuguese forward is out of contention for Friday's contest.
Ivo Rodrigues has been on song for the Vila Nova in the league and the 27-year-old, who has five goal involvements in his last eight league matches, should retain his role at the centre of the park.
Off the back of securing a second consecutive clean sheet for the first time since August, Sousa could name an unchanged back four of Alexandre Penetra, Riccieli, Enea Mihaj and Francisco Moura, with first-choice goalkeeper Luiz Junior returning to the fold.
Chaves possible starting lineup:
Fagundes; Correia, Ponck, Vitoria, Queiros; Mendes, Guimaraes, Teixeira; Abass, Santos, Singh
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Mihaj, Lima; Pele, Rodrigues, Colombatto, Moura; Rodriguez, Cadiz
We say: Chaves 1-1 Famalicao
Buoyed by their victory over Estoril Praia, Famalicao will head into the weekend with renewed confidence as they look to steer clear of the relegation zone. However, Chaves have been a tough nut to crack at home in the league, where they are unbeaten in their last five matches. Both sides are evenly-matched on paper and we anticipate that the spoils will be shared in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
