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

Looking to end their run of three games without a win, Vizela welcome Pacos de Ferreira to the Estadio do Futebol Clube de Vizela on Sunday.

The visitors head into the game off the back of holding a rampant Braga side to a goalless draw, and will be seeking to build on that performance.

Match preview

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Vizela failed to find their feet last time out, when they were held to a 2-2 draw by a resilient Gil Vincente side at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.

Despite going in front twice in the game through Marcos Paulo's brace, they failed to protect their lead as Fran Navarro restored parity on both occasions to force a share of the spoils.

Alvaro Pacheco's men have now failed to taste victory in their last three outings, as they fell to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Vitoria de Guimaraes before playing out a 1-1 draw against Boavista in their previous two outings.

With two draws and one win from their first five games, Vizela are currently 12th in the Primeira Liga table, but they could leapfrog Sunday's visitors and rise to eighth place with a victory, considering just two points and three spots separate the sides.

​However, they are faced with the stern test of taking on an opposing side who they have failed to secure a win against in their last four meetings since 2008, picking up one draw and suffering three defeats.

Pacos de Ferreira, on the other hand, were denied a second successive win last time out, when they played out a goalless draw against Braga.

In a game in which clear-cut chances were at a premium, both sides were guilty of lethargic displays at the attacking end of the pitch before settling for a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Os Castores claimed a narrow 1-0 victory away to Portimonense, as Douglas Tanque scored on the stroke of half time to end their run of two straight losses in all competitions.

Despite their lack of firepower in attack, Jorge Simao will be satisfied with his side's performance at the opposite end of the pitch, where they have kept three clean sheets so far and will hope they can take the positives from their solid display against Braga last time out.

Team News

Vizela remain without the services of Mohamed Aidara, who made 31 appearances in the Segunda Liga last season, as the Ivory Coast defender is currently recuperating from an injury he picked up back in July.

First-choice goalkeeper Pedro Silva is also nursing a long-term injury and is out of contention for the game, while 32-year-old forward Cassiano misses out after coming off injured midway through August's game against Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Paulo opened his account for the season with a brace against Gil Vicente last weekend and the 32-year-old could once again handle business in the centre of the park.

Meanwhile, Pacos de Ferreira defender Joao Vigario will sit out the game through a knee injury he sustained against Larne in the Conference League qualifiers back in August.

Mohamed Diaby, who is presently nursing an Achilles tendon injury, is another guaranteed absentee for Os Castores, while the duo of Fernando Fonseca and Lucas Silva are major doubts after coming off injured in the game against Braga last time out.

Vizela possible starting lineup:

Charles; Kouao, Kiki, Fernandes, Afonso; Paulo, Claudemir; Samu, Kiko, Moreira; Schettine

Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:

Ferreira; Silva, Ramos, Maracas, Antunes; Uilton, Eustaquio, Carlos; Delgado, Tanque, Santos

We say: Vizela 1-1 Pacos de Ferreira

Both sides have enjoyed a decent start to the season and will head into the game looking to claim all three points and move into the top half of the table.

Vizela have struggled to get going at the attacking end of the pitch and will need to be at their best to take something away from the visitors, who have been defensively solid, and we predict the sides will settle for a share of the spoils as they are evenly matched on paper.