Preview: Tondela vs Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides who experienced contrasting fortunes in their opening fixtures of the new Primeira Liga campaign will lock horns on Saturday as Tondela welcome Famalicao to the Estadio Joao Cardoso.

The hosts suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat away to Braga last weekend, while Vila Nova enjoyed the same margin of victory in their home clash with Santa Clara.

Match preview

Realistically, few anticipated Tondela would take anything from their trip to Braga, yet given the fact they had breezed through pre-season with four wins and a draw, there was at least an expectation that the newly promoted outfit would show greater resistance.

Instead, the Gold and Greens were second best for much of the contest, conceding twice before the break and then seeing Ricardo Horta’s 83rd-minute penalty compound a forgettable first competitive outing for new head coach Ivo Vieira.

Vieira, who stepped into the role in July following the departure of Luis Pinto, will now look to harness the home crowd at Joao Cardoso as he aims to inspire an immediate response to that disappointing start.

There is reason for encouragement, with Tondela winning their last two meetings with Famalicao at this ground, and that could spur CDT to take the initiative in Saturday’s encounter.

Famalicao, however, arrive in buoyant mood after last weekend’s emphatic triumph, courtesy of first-half strikes from Rodrigo Pinheiro and Gustavo Sa with Gil Dias's composed finish in the 54th minute.

That result propelled Vila Nova to second in the table, offering the perfect launchpad for a campaign in which they will be chasing a first-ever European berth after going close in several recent seasons.

While last term’s seventh-place finish was the club’s second-best in their top-flight history, they have impressively avoided ending lower than eighth since returning to the division in 2019-20.

That said, Hugo Oliveira will be keen to address his side’s shortcomings on the road, with Famalicao ending the 2024-25 campaign on a run of three successive away defeats.

Tondela Primeira Liga form:

Tondela form (all competitions):

Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

Famalicao form (all competitions):

Team News

Twenty-six-year-old South African international Yaya Sithole missed the opener against Braga but could be in line for minutes here as he works back towards peak fitness.

Afonso Rodrigues made a positive impression from the bench in that match, so the 22-year-old may be handed a start out wide in place of Yarlen.

Given Pinheiro’s impressive display in the victory over Santa Clara, it seems almost certain he will keep his place on the right side of the defence.

Gil Dias and Sorriso also shone in that encounter and should feature on the flanks again with Oscar Aranda and Rochinha still sidelined through injury, while Sa will be brimming with confidence after finding the net last weekend.

Tondela possible starting lineup:

Fontes; Maviram, Cesco, Afonso, Bebeto; Tavares, Cícero, Cunha; Rodrigues, Miro, Maranhao

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Carevic; Soares, Haas, Realpe, Pinheiro; Amorim, Looi; Sorriso, Sa, Dias; Elisor

We say: Tondela 1-2 Famalicao

Tondela’s recent home record against Famalicao suggests they will throw everything at the visitors in search of a response after the defeat at Braga, though Vila Nova’s quality and growing pedigree in the top flight could see them edge what promises to be a lively contest.

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