Preview: Pacos de Ferreira vs. Boavista - prediction, team news, lineups

Pacos de Ferreira host Boavista in the Primeira Liga on Sunday with both sides looking to get back to winning ways after failing to win any of their last three games in all competitions.

A spell of five league matches unbeaten for the Beavers was ended by Benfica two weeks ago, while Boavista have endured goalless draws in their last two matches, most recently away at Rio Ave.

Match preview

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After an unbeaten run of six games, Pacos de Ferreira have since lost their last three matches, all in different competitions against the so-called 'big three' in Portugal.

A slender 2-1 away defeat at Benfica in the Primeira Liga was swiftly followed by a 3-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon in the Taca de Portugal and most recently a 2-1 defeat to Porto in the Taca da Liga quarter-final on Wednesday.

Pacos boss Pepa was happy with his side's performance against Porto, despite failing to progress in the cup, but will now be pleased that their difficult run is over and that their next four league matches are against teams below them in the table.

The Beavers have yet to lose at the Estadio da Mata Real all season but do come up against a Boavista outfit who have beaten them in their last two home fixtures.

Pepa's men will try to bounce back from their recent run of defeats and aim to leapfrog Vitoria into fifth place, also closing in on the top three.

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Following the sacking of Vasco Seabra, Boavista announced the return of experienced head coach Jesualdo Ferreira earlier this week.

The 74-year-old had previously been appointed Panteras boss 14 years ago but was in the job for just 46 days and failed to manage a single match for the club before he was persuaded by Porto to terminate his contract and coach a side competing for titles.

Ferreira has managed 20 clubs across a 39-year managerial career and hopes to reinvigorate Boavista's squad and use his experience to steer them away from danger.

The Panteras have had just four days to prepare with their new boss for the match against Pacos de Ferreira – a side they are unbeaten against in their last five meetings.

A much-needed victory on Sunday would be only their second in the league this campaign and could move them into the top half of the table, four points clear of the relegation zone.

Pacos de Ferreira Primeira Liga form: WDWWWL Pacos de Ferreira form (all competitions): WWWLLL

Boavista Primeira Liga form: LDWLDD Boavista form (all competitions): LWWDDL

Team News

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Pacos de Ferreira will be without Jorge Silva and Dor Jan who are both out injured but should return later this month.

Manager Pepa may have to shuffle his pack given that this will be Pacos's third match in just nine days.

Midfielder Martin Calderon and winger Adriano Castanheira might be given an opportunity to start as a result.

Boavista defender Adil Rami (muscle problem) and midfielder Miguel Reisinho (cruciate ligament rupture) will both miss out through injury.

Paulinho is also an injury concern but he is likely to recover for Sunday and start on the bench.

It remains to be seen whether Jesualdo Ferreira will make wholesale changes, but he is expected to use his trademark 4-3-3 formation.

Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup: Jordi; Fonseca, Marcelo, Baixinho, Reabciuk; Eustaquio, Costa, Calderon; Castanheira, Singh; Tanque

Boavista possible starting lineup: Jardim; Cannon, Devenish, Awaziem, Hamache; Santos, Garcia, Show; Sauer, Njie, Gomes

We say: Pacos de Ferreira 2-1 Boavista

Both sides are looking to improve their form and will see this fixture as a good opportunity to get back to winning ways. Boavista have had little time to prepare with their new head coach and that may give Pacos a slight advantage on Sunday in securing a narrow victory.

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