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

Pacos de Ferreira welcome Portimonense to the Estadio da Mata Real on Tuesday afternoon as the hosts look to extend their six-game winning run.

Paulo Sergio's men, on the other hand, will be hoping they can bounce back from a disappointing defeat last time out and stay above the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Os Castores defeated Tondela 2-1 on Friday to extend their unbeaten streak in the top flight to eight matches.

Their fantastic recent run of form has seen them surge up the Primeira Liga standings and has elevated them to fifth position, level on points with fourth-placed Benfica.

European qualification has now become a real possibility for Pepa's men this season and is surely the ambition of everyone involved with the club.

A win in midweek could see them leapfrog the 37-time Portuguese champions and pile further pressure on the capital club.

However, things have not been quite so rosy for Portimonense throughout 2020-21. Sergio's side have struggled for form this season, picking up just 15 points from their opening 17 league outings.

That modest tally has left them just one point and one place above the relegation playoff place and facing a battle to beat the drop in the second half of the campaign.

A 2-1 loss away to high-flying Braga on Thursday made it three games without a win for the Estadio Municipal de Portimao outfit, who could fall into the drop zone with a poor performance in midweek.

Confidence will be low within the Portimonense ranks coming into this one, but they will be hopeful that their respectable defensive record can snatch at least a point from the upcoming clash.

Pacos de Ferreira Primeira Liga form: WWWWWW

Portimonense Primeira Liga form: WLWDLL

Team News

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Pacos de Ferreira will be without long-term absentee Jorge Silva once again, as the 24-year-old full-back continues to suffer from a ligament injury.

He is being kept company on the sidelines by centre-forward Dor Jan, who has been on the treatment table since November.

Portimonense are still without the services of central-midfielder Lucas Fernandes. The 23-year-old ruptured his cruciate ligament back in November and is still several months away from making his return to first-team action.

He is joined in the treatment room by Pedro Sa and goalkeeper Samuel, who have failed to recover from their respective problems in time for this one.

Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup: Jordi; Fonseca, Marcelo, Gonzaga, Uilton; Carlos, Diaby, Costa; Amarel, Tanque, Singh

Portimonense possible starting lineup: Ferreira; Cande, Lucas, Possignolo, Anzai; Luquinha, Clemente, Ewerton; Henrique, Beto, Boa Morte

We say: Pacos de Ferreira 3-1 Portimonense

Anything other than a home win is extremely unlikely in this one, given how the two teams have been playing in recent weeks. It should be a comfortable victory for Pacos de Ferreira as they continue their march up the table.