Unbeaten in each of their last three games, Casa Pia visit the Estadio Capital do Movel to square off against Pacos de Ferreira in round six of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.
The hosts, who are one of just two sides yet to pick up any points after the first five rounds of matches, will be desperate to end this dry spell and get their campaign up and running.
Match preview
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Last Monday's 1-0 defeat at the Estadio do Bessa against Boavista was Pacos de Ferreira's new low in what has been an underwhelming start to the 2022-23 Primeira Liga campaign.
After a solid defensive display in the first half, the Pacenses imploded at the defensive end of the pitch once again as Feyenoord loanee Robert Bozenik tucked home the only goal of the game two minutes before the half-hour mark to leave the visitors empty handed.
Pacos de Ferreira have now lost each of their last seven games across all competitions — the longest losing streak of all 18 teams in the league — including each of their opening five games of the new Primeira Liga campaign.
Their dire start to the season has been owing to their defensive frailty coupled with a lack of sting in attack as they have conceded 11 goals already while managing to find the back of the net just twice.
Cesar Peixoto's men, who secured an 11th-placed finish last term, are currently bottom but one in the Primeira Liga standings, only above fellow strugglers Martitimo, who have also lost each of their opening five games.
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On the other hand, newly-promoted Casa Pia were denied a third victory on the bounce when they were held to an uneventful goalless draw by Arouca in front of their home fans last Sunday.
In a cagey affair at the National Sports Center of Jamor, both sides were guilty of a lethargic display at the attacking end of the pitch where they failed to pose any real goalscoring threat before settling for a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Filipe Martins's side saw off Boavista 2-0 on August 21 to end their two-game winless run, before visiting the Dom Afonso Henriques eight days later where they claimed a 1-0 victory over Vitoria de Guimaraes.
Os Gansos head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last four away games across all competitions, claiming three wins and one draw since a 1-0 defeat against Rio Ave when the sides met last season in the Segunda Liga on May 1.
Casa Pia have picked up two wins, two draws and lost one of their five games this season to collect eight points and sit seventh in the league standings, level on points with fellow newcomers Chaves.
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Team News
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Pacos de Ferreira will have to make do with the absence of several key players down the spine of the team as the likes of Jorge Silva, Pedro Ganchas and goalkeeper Jordi will continue their spells on the sidelines.
Luiz Carlos has missed the last four games after sustaining an injury against Gil Vicente on August 8, while Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori has been out of action since February.
Sunday's hosts will also be without the services of 25-year-old defender Jorge Silva, who is yet to make an appearance this year after picking up a severe injury in December's game against Tondela.
Off the back of keeping a third consecutive clean sheet, we expect to see an unchanged Casa Pia back three of Joao Nunes, Vasco Fernandes and Nermin Zolotic for the fifth straight game.
On the injury front, Martins will have to cope without the experience of Carnejy Antoine, who is yet to feature this season after the 31-year-old came off injured in pre-season.
Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:
Oliveira; Fonseca, Ramos, Lima, Antunes; Pires, Ibrahim, Delgado; Thomas, Kayky, Koffi
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Batista; Nunes, Fernandes, Zolotic; Soares, Taira, Neto, Lelo; Kunimoto, Martins, Godwin
We say: Pacos de Ferreira 1-1 Casa Pia
Casa Pia have been solid at the defensive end of the pitch this season and will fancy their chances against a Pacos de Ferreira side who have scored just twice this season. However, we predict the Pacenses will do just enough to leave with a share of the spoils and end their losing streak.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
