Preview: Maritimo vs. Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

Maritimo host Famalicao on Sunday in an important game at the bottom of the Primeira Liga table.

The hosts will be looking to build on a win last time out which saw them move out of the relegation zone, while Famalicao now find themselves in the bottom two after three games without a victory.

Match preview

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Maritimo secured a crucial win in their last game, as a Rodrigo Pinho brace fired them to a 2-1 away win over fellow strugglers Nacional.

That broke an eight-game winless run for Os Verde-Rubros, having picked up just one point from those games.

The win saw Milton Mendes's side move off the bottom of the table and up to 15th place, leapfrogging Farense, Boavista and Sunday's opponents.

They are by no means safe from the threat of relegation though, as Maritimo sit level on points with Boavista in the relegation playoff place, and just one point ahead of Famalicao in the automatic drop zone.

As a result, a win on Sunday would put some vital space between themselves and the bottom two, as they look to survive against the threat of relegation.

However, the visitors will also place real importance on that one-point gap, as a victory over Maritimo would see them leapfrog their opponents and move out of the bottom two.

Following the departure of former manager Silas after just six games, Ivo Vieira was appointed Famalicao manager with the aim of saving the club from relegation.

In his first game in charge, Vieira secured an impressive point with a 2-2 draw at home to third-placed Braga.

They looked set to fall to a 2-1 defeat, as Anderson's opener had been cancelled out by goals from Ricardo Horta and Ali Musrati for Braga, before Heriberto Tavares popped up with an equaliser in the 87th minute to salvage a crucial point for his side.

That result definitely showed positive signs for the new manager, as his side gear up for a battle for survival with 11 league games left to play.

He will look to add a vital win on Sunday, which would see Famalicao move out of the bottom two and a large step closer to survival.

Team News

Milton Mendes could look to keep a similar side from the team that beat Nacional last time out.

However, he will be without winger Edgar Costa for this game, as he will serve a suspension for picking up five yellow cards this campaign.

Their line will be led by Rodrigo Pinho, who continued his clinical form with a brace last time out, taking his tally to nine league goals from 15 appearances this campaign.

Famalicao will be boosted by the return of midfielder Manuel Ugarte, after he served a suspension last time out for a red card.

They have struggled for goals since the departure of Ruben Lameiras in January, but Anderson will come into this game with some confidence having netted the opening goal last time out.

Maritimo possible starting lineup:

Abedzadeh; Winck, Junior, Andrade, Hermes; Correa, Bambock, Jean, Guitane; Pinho, Tagueu

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Figeuiras, Babic, Riccieli, Vinagre; Ugarte, Rodrigues, Assuncao; Dias, Anderson, Tavares

We say: Maritimo 1-1 Famalicao

In what will be a tight encounter between two sides desperate for a victory to boost their survival bids, we see them sharing the points.

While Maritimo possess more of an attacking threat, Famalicao definitely looked rejuvenated under the new manager in the draw with Braga, and we expect that to continue here.