Portimonense will be looking to snap their three-game losing streak when they play host to Vizela at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao in round 25 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Saturday.
Having picked up a 1-0 victory in October's reverse fixture, the Vizelenses will set out to complete an impressive double over the hosts and pick up successive away wins for the first time this season.
Match preview
© Reuters
Portimonense were left empty handed once again as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chaves at the Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira.
In a game where Rodrigo Nascimento received his marching orders, 26-year-old Juninho Vieira and substitute Issah Abass scored in either half to hand the Flavienses a comfortable 2-0 victory.
Portimonense have now lost each of their last three league matches, suffering defeats against Famalicao, Sporting Lisbon and Chaves, while scoring four goals and failing to score in each of those three matches.
While Rodrigo Nascimento's men have struggled to get going in recent weeks, they now return home, where they are unbeaten in three of their four matches since the turn of the year, claiming two wins and one draw.
Portimonense have now picked up eight wins, two draws and lost 14 of their 24 matches so far to collect 26 points and sit 14th in the Primeira Liga standings, three points and three places below Saturday's visitors.
© Reuters
Vizela, on the other hand, were sent crashing back to earth last Saturday as they suffered a 4-0 thrashing against Braga when the sides squared off at the Estadio do FC Vizela.
After taking a one-goal advantage into half time courtesy of Mutassim Al-Musrati's 43rd-minute strike, Iuri Medeiros netted a brace to put Os Arcebispos in a commanding three-goal lead before Ricardo Horta completed the rout with a 75th-minute effort.
Prior to that, Vizela snapped their four-game unbeaten run on March 4, when they edged out Estoril Praia 3-0 at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota courtesy of an own goal from Joaozinho and strikes from Milutin Osmajic and Tomas Silva.
While the Vizelenses will be looking to return to winning ways, they have struggled for results on the road, where they are currently on a run of just one win in their last seven away matches, losing four and claiming two draws since the start of December.
Next up for Vizela is the challenge of a Portimonense side who are winless in six of the last seven meetings between the teams, losing twice and claiming four draws since January 2009.
Team News
© Reuters
Portimonense will be without Carlinhos as the Brazilian forward continues his long journey to full fitness after picking up an ACL injury last May.
Former Benfica man Yony Gonzalez was handed his first league start in last week's clash versus Chaves and the 28-year-old should retain his role in the front three with Welinton Junior and Fahd Moufi.
Bruno Wilson picked up a severe injury in the game against Estoril Praia on February 4 and the Portuguese centre-back is set to sit out his second straight game.
Despite failing to threaten the Braga defence last time out, we expect to see an unchanged Vizela front three of Nuno Moreira, Kiko Bondoso and Mulitin Osmajic.
Anderson and Ivanildo Fernandes should retain their roles at the heart of the defence, shielding Fabijan Buntic between the sticks, while Claudemir and Raphael Guzzo team up in midfield.
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Nakamura; Ouattara, Relvas, Pedrao, Lucas; Seck, Mauricio, Park; Ventura, Junior, Sa
Vizela possible starting lineup:
Buntic; Anderson, Fernandes, Aidara, Afonso; Ortiz; Samu, Guzzo; Moreira, Osmajic, Bondoso
We say: Portimonense 1-2 Vizela
With just three points separating Portimonense and Vizela in the league table, we expect an exciting contest with both sides taking the game to each other. The Portimao outfit have been impressive on home turf in recent weeks and we anticipate that they will return to winning ways on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
