Fresh off the back of picking up their first win of the 2022-23 campaign, Maritimo play host to Famalicao at the Estadio do Maritimo in round 12 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.
The Vila Nova head into the weekend unbeaten in seven consecutive games against the hosts and will look to continue in the same vein.
Match preview
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After a rough seven weeks, Maritimo finally gave their fans something to cheer about as they held firm to claim a slender 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Pacos de Ferreira when the sides met last Friday.
In an action-packed contest at the Estadio Capital do Movel, Atletico Morelia loanee Jesus Ramirez came up clutch for the visitors as he netted in the 28th minute to hand the Pacenses their ninth defeat of the season.
Prior to that, Joao Henriques's men were winless in their 11 games across all competitions, picking up two draws and losing nine, including a 4-2 defeat against Mafra on October 15 which saw their Taca de Portugal campaign come to an end in the third round.
Maritimo's underwhelming start to the season sees them seated bottom but one in the Primeira Liga standings with five points from 11 games, three points above last-placed Pacos de Ferreira.
O Maior das Ilhas now return home where they have struggled to grind out results in 2022, picking up just two wins and losing nine from their 14 league games since the turn of the year.
While they will be looking to pick up consecutive league victories for the first time since January, next up is the stern test of taking on a Famalicao side who are unbeaten in the previous seven meetings between the teams, claiming three wins and four draws since January 2016.
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Joao Pedro Sousa's men were denied a third consecutive victory across all competitions as they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Vitoria de Guimaraes at the Dom Afonso Henriques last Monday.
A brace from Nelson Luz and Michael Johnson's 21st-minute opener put the hosts in a commanding three-goal lead before substitute Alex Millan struck twice in a late flurry to reduce the deficit.
Prior to that, Famalicao claimed a 1-0 victory over Trofense on October 15 to secure their place in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal before claiming a 2-1 victory over Pacos de Ferreira one week later.
The Vila Nova have now picked up three wins, one draw and lost seven of their 11 league matches this season to collect 10 points and sit 14th in the Primeira Liga standings, one point above the relegation playoff spot.
While Famalicao will look to return to winning ways and steer clear of the drop zone, they head into the weekend without an away win in the league this season, managing one draw and losing five of their six matches.
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Team News
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Maritimo will take to the pitch without the midfield duo of Fabio China and 24-year-old Miguel Sousa, who have been ruled out through injuries.
They are joined on the club's injury table by Colombia international Moises Mosquera, who is set to sit out his fifth consecutive game after coming off injured against Casa Pia in October.
With his assist in last week's win over Pacos de Ferreira, Bruno Xadas now has five goal involvements in his last seven games and we expect the former Braga man to lead the hosts' attack once again.
Meanwhile, Argentine defender Hernan de la Fuente is currently suspended after picking up a red card while on the Famalicao bench against Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out.
On the injury front, the Vila Nova will be without the services of Martin Aguirregabiria, who suffered an injury in September's league opener against Estoril Praia.
Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Trmal; Costa, Junior, Andrade, Winck; Afonso, Mendes, Brito; Ramirez, Vidigal, Xadas
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Mihaj, Moura; Assuncao, Colombatto; Rodriguez, Youssouf, Kadile; Jaime
We say: Maritimo 1-1 Famalicao
Having just secured their first win of the season, Maritimo will head into the weekend with sky-high confidence as they begin their surge from the relegation zone. However, we predict the spoils will be shared in this one as they are currently evenly matched with Famalicao.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
