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

Struggling Chaves will aim to avoid a fourth successive Primeira Liga defeat when they entertain Moreirense on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts suffered a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of SC Farense last weekend, while the visitors held Famalicao to a goalless draw in their previous match.

Match preview

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It would not be unfair to say that Chaves have made a woeful start to the season, as Jose Gomes's side find themselves rock bottom of the Primeira Liga table after recording three consecutive losses.

Following a 2-0 defeat against Rio Ave on the opening weekend, Chaves endured a 4-2 loss against Braga in their second match, despite the best efforts of Spanish striker Hector Hernandez, who bagged a second-half brace to give his side a brief lead on home soil.

Last weekend, the Flavienses found themselves 4-0 down inside 22 minutes as they were humiliated by Farense, who must have felt sorry for Chaves as they took their foot off the gas to eventually win 5-0 at Sao Luis Stadium.

Chaves registered an impressive seventh-placed finish last season, ending the campaign only seven points shy of the European places, but Gomes's men have already conceded 11 goals across three defeats this term, scoring just twice in reply.

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Moreirense also enjoyed a successful 2023-24 campaign as they clinched the second-tier title in style, losing only three of their 34 matches to gain promotion to the Portuguese top flight.

On the opening weekend of the Primeira Liga season, the Green and Whites gave a good account of themselves against perennial title contenders Porto, taking the lead through Godfried Frimpong before eventually suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat.

Moreirense produced another impressive performance as they drew 0-0 with Famalicao last time out, although Paulo Alves's men will be kicking themselves after failing to claim all three points following Pablo's first-half red.

Unlike Chaves, Moreirense have made a promising start to the season, so the Minho outfit will back themselves to heap more misery on the Flavienses this weekend.

Team News

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Chaves boss Jose Gomes will be tempted to ring the changes following last weekend's 5-0 thrashing, although Hector Hernandez will likely continue in attack alongside Paulo Victor.

Bernardo Sousa and Issah Abass are expected to operate on the flanks for the hosts, with Kelechi Nwakali and Ricardo Guimaraes anchoring the midfield in the engine room.

Having gained promotion last term, Moreirense have made a number of additions to their squad, including the former Braga trio of Kobamelo Kodisang, Fabiano Souza and Dinis Pinto.

The Green and Whites have also acquired Brazilian playmaker Alanzinho from Palmeiras and defensive midfielder Wallisson from Cruzeiro, bolstering their options in the middle of the park.

Paulo Alves will likely deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation on Sunday, with Andre Luis leading the line, while Goncalo Franco and Lawrence Ofori should sit in front of the back four.

Chaves possible starting lineup:

Souza; Correia, Rodrigues, Vitoria, Cruz; Sousa, Guima, Nwakali, Abass; Victor, Hernandez

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Silva; Pinto, Marcelo, Maracas, Frimpong; Franco, Ofori; Kodisang, Alan, Camacho; Luis

We say: Chaves 0-1 Moreirense

Given that Chaves have lost each of their opening three league games - conceding 11 goals in the process - we expect Moreirense to pile more pressure on the Primeira Liga basement dwellers this weekend.

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