Preview: Vizela vs. Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

Famalicao will be looking to pick up back-to-back Primeira Liga wins for the first time since April when they take on Vizela at the Estadio do FC Vizela on Saturday.

The Vizelenses, who are currently just three points above the bottom of the table, have lost their last three home games and will head into the weekend seeking to end this poor run.

Match preview

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Vizela picked up their first Primeira Liga victory since September 1 last Monday when they held firm to see off a dogged Casa Pia side 1-0 at the Estadio Pina Manique.

Following a goalless first half, substitute Alberto Soro came up clutch for the Vizelenses as he netted the only goal of the game within two minutes after coming on to condemn the hosts to their fourth league defeat of the season.

Vizela were five consecutive league outings without a win leading up to last Monday's result, losing three and picking up two draws while conceding nine goals since beating Gil Vicente 1-0 at home 10 weeks ago.

Pablo Villar's men have now gone unbeaten in three of their last four outings across all competitions, picking up one draw and two wins, including a 1-0 victory over Atletico CP in the third round of the Taca de Portugal on October 21.

Monday's victory over Casa Pia has seen Vizela steer two points clear of the bottom three as they now sit 14th in the Primeira Liga table, three points above rock-bottom Arouca but could move as high as ninth place with all three points this weekend.

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Famalicao, on the other hand, returned to winning ways in style as they cruised to a 3-1 victory over Gil Vicente when the sides squared off at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao last weekend.

Goals from Gustavo Sa, Fransico Moura and Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Chiquinho set the hosts on their way to a comfortable win before Maxime Dominguez pulled on back in the 67th minute.

Prior to that, Famalicao saw their four-match unbeaten run come to an end on September 22 when they fell to a 3-1 home defeat against Vitoria de Guimaraes, two weeks before losing 1-0 to newly-promoted Estrela Amadora at the Estadio Jose Gomes.

Joao Pedro Sousa's men have now picked up four wins, three draws and lost three of their 10 Primeira Liga matches so far to collect 15 points and sit eighth in the league table, level on points with seventh-placed Boavista.

While Famalicao will look to pick up where they left off last Saturday, they have struggled for results on the road, where they are without a win in four straight games, picking up two points from a possible 12 since August's 2-1 opening-day victory at Braga.

However, the Vila Nova will fancy their chances against a Vizela side who have failed to win any of their last five encounters, losing twice and claiming three draws since a 3-2 victory in December 2016.

Team News

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Matheus Pereira missed Monday's game against Casa Pia after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Porto on October 29 but is back eligible for selection this weekend.

Pereira should come into the fold for his 10th league start of the season, forming the back four with Anderson, Bruno Wilson and Tomas Silva, while Samu, Pedro Ortiz and Diogo Santos Nascimento should retain their roles at the centre of the park.

Off the back of Monday's eye-catching cameo, Soro could be rewarded with a place in the starting XI on Saturday, teaming up with Matias Lacava and Caen loanee Samuel Essende in the final third.

As for Famalicao, Albanian centre-back Enea Mihaj was forced off injured late in the game against Gil Vicente last time out and is a major doubt for this weekend's clash.

Should he fail to shake off the injury in time for the game, Dutch defender Justin De Haas will push for a place in the starting side, forming the centre-back partnership with 21-year-old Otavio.

Vizela possible starting lineup:

Buntic; Silva, Wilson, Anderson, Pereira; Nascimento, Ortiz, Samu; Osoro, Lacava, Essende

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Nathan, De Haas, Otavio, Moura; Youssouf, Topic; Chiquinho, Sa, Rodriguez; Araujo

We say: Vizela 1-2 Famalicao

Having both returned to winning ways last time out, Vizela and Famalicao will head into the weekend with renewed confidence as they look to put together a fine run of form. Vizela's poor home form gives Vila Nova a slight edge and we fancy them extending their dominance in this fixture by claiming a narrow victory.

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