Fresh off the back of a third-round exit from the Taca de Portugal, Pacos de Ferreira square off with Famalicao at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Saturday.
The Vila Nova head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last three home games against Jose Mota's men and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Match preview
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Famalicao secured their place in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal last Saturday when they claimed a hard-earned victory over second-tier Trofense.
Following an uneventful first half at the Estadio do Clube Desportivo Trofense, Jose Francis came up clutch for the visitors as he scored the only goal of the game in the 69th minute.
The Vila Nova now turn their sights to the Primeira Liga, where they were denied successive victories for the first time since May as they fell to a 4-1 loss against Arouca on October 10.
Famalicao have now lost four of their most recent five league outings since the start of September — with a 4-0 home victory over Boavista on October 2 being the exception.
Joao Pedro Sousa's men, who secured an eighth-placed finish last term, currently find themselves 15th in the Primeira Liga standings after picking up seven points from their first nine matches.
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Pacos de Ferreira, on the other hand, suffered a surprise exit from the Taca de Portugal last Sunday when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Vitoria de Setubal away from home.
In a thrilling contest at the Estadio do Bonfim, Jose Varela netted after the half-time break to put the hosts ahead before Adama Francois Sene made sure of the result with a 71st-minute effort.
The Pacenses' performance was in keeping with their abysmal form in the Primeira Liga as they head into Saturday's game as one of just two sides without a league win, claiming two draws and losing seven of their nine outings.
Mota's side's dire start to the season has been owing to their defensive frailties as they have conceded 17 goals in their nine league matches so far, while their last competitive clean sheet came in April, when they claimed a 2-0 victory over Maritimo.
With two points from a possible 27, Pacos de Ferreira are currently bottom but one in the Primeira Liga standings, just one point and one spot above last-placed Maritimo.
Team News
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Famalicao will take to the pitch without the services of Ivan Jaime, who has been out of action since January due to a ruptured cruciate ligament.
He is joined on the Vila Nova injury table by fellow countryman Martin Aguirregabiria, who sustained an injury in September's league opener against Estoril Praia.
Theo Fonseca has missed the last two outings after sustaining a muscle problem midway through the game against Boavista on October 12 and the summer signing is a major doubt for the hosts.
Pacos de Ferreira, on the other hand, will have to make do with the absence of 22-year-old defender Pedro Ganchas, who has been out of action since September.
However, the Pacenses will be boosted by the return of Vitorino Antunes and Nuno Lima, who have served their suspensions after both seeing red against Vitoria de Guimaraes on October 8.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Mihaj, Lima; Assuncao, Colombatto; Rodrigues, Youssouf, Rodriguez; Millan
Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:
Vekic; Delgado, Ferigra, Ramos, Bastos; Ibrahim, Toma; Holsgrove, Uilton, Thomas; Butzke
We say: Famalicao 2-1 Pacos de Ferreira
Buoyed by their cup victory, Famalicao will head into the weekend with renewed confidence as they look to surge from the wrong end of the league table. The Vila Nova take on a Pacos de Ferreira side who have endured a disastrous start to the season and we predict that they will do just enough to leave with all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
