Preview: Estoril Praia vs. Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

Seeking to snap their three-game losing streak and move clear of the relegation places, Famalicao take a trip to the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota to face Estoril Praia on Friday.

This will be the first league meeting between the sides since they squared off in the Segunda Liga back in 2019 and both sides will be aiming to get one over the other.

Match preview

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Estoril Praia can be delighted by their performance in the top flight this season as they find themselves in fifth place in the Primeira Liga standings, one point behind fourth-placed Braga after 14 rounds of matches.

The Lisbon-based outfit, who finished first in the Segunda Liga last term, have picked up six wins and six draws so far, only suffering defeats against reigning champions Sporting Lisbon and Braga.

Their impressive start to life in the big leagues has been owing to their defensive sturdiness as they boast one of the division's meanest records with just 13 goals conceded.

Bruno Pinheiro's men head into Friday's game fresh off the back of ending their four-game winless run courtesy of a slender 1-0 victory away to struggling Belenenses.

In that encounter, 31-year-old forward Rui Fonte came up trumps for the visitors as he scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time to condemn O Belem to their seventh defeat of the season.

Meanwhile, Famalicao were left empty-handed for the third game running as they fell to a 4-1 defeat against Benfica last time out.

In a one-sided affair at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao, Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez netted a hat-trick to inspire As Aguias to their 11th win of the season.

Prior to that, Famalicao saw their two-game winning run come to an end when they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Portimonense on November 27 before losing 4-0 against Gil Vicente one week later.

With 10 points from 14 outings, Ivo Vieira's men are currently 15th on the log, level on points with Santa Clara in the relegation playoff spot and two points above rock-bottom Belenenses.

Their struggles this term has been in no small part down to their defensive frailties as they boast the league's second-worst defensive record with 28 goals shipped so far.

Team News

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Estoril Praia will be without the services of defender Lucas Africo, who sustained a season-ending injury in November's game against Vizela.

Other than that, Pinheiro has a full-strength squad at his disposal and following his side's impressive performance against Belenenses last time out, the Portuguese manager could name a similar side on Friday.

Should that be the case, we could see a front three of Xavier, Rui Fonte and Arthur Gomes, with Andre Franco, who has eight goal involvement this season, starting in midfield.

Famalicao, on the other hand, will take to the pitch without the services of Diogo Figueiras, who picked up an injury in the game against Gil Vicente on December 5.

Fellow countryman Heriberto Tavares hobbled off the pitch just 10 minutes into the game against Benfica last time out and the 25-year-old midfielder is out of contention for the visitors.

His replacement Ivo Rodrigues created Bruno Rodrigues's goal 15 minutes after coming on and the Olympiacos loanee could be rewarded with his sixth start of the season.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Silva; Soria, Farraresi, Patrick, Joaozinho; Loreintz, Geraldes; Franco, Gomes, Fonte; Xavier

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Figueiras, Penetra, Ricceli, Marin; Pepe, Pickel; B Rodrigues, Brazao, Jaime; Banza

We say: Estoril Praia 2-0 Famalicao

Estoril Praia will head into Friday's game in sky-high spirits having ended their winless run against Belenenses last time out. In general, they have enjoyed a fine season so far and find themselves in the top five places on the log. Famalicao, meanwhile, have struggled to get going to date and we are tipping the hosts to come away with all three points.