A crucial bottom-half clash in the Primeira Liga will play out this weekend when Boavista take on Estrela Amadora at Estadio do Bessa Seculo XXI on Saturday evening.
With just 10 points separating the bottom nine teams in the league standings, the relegation battle is far from over, and three points here could be massive for either side come the end of the season.
Match preview
© Reuters
After finishing in the top half of the league last season, Boavista would have been looking to pull closer to the top five teams this term, but things have not gone as planned so far.
Instead, with 29 points in as many league games this season, As Panteras are much closer to the bottom five than the top and are currently just two points ahead of 16th-placed Portimonense in the sole regulation playoff spot.
It has also been a tumultuous season behind the scenes for the club, which saw Petit exit just before Christmas, and they will now find themselves under the guidance of a third manager in the space of five months with the announcement of Ricardo Paiva's resignation earlier this week.
Paiva's departure followed the side's 2-1 loss to Arouca last week, which was their fourth consecutive match without victory and the manager's eighth defeat in 15 league games at the helm.
Former Academico de Viseu boss Jorge Simao will now lead the side through the final five matches of the season and will love nothing more than to mark the start of his tenure with a victory, though his side did lose to this opponent 3-1 in the reverse fixture.
However, victories have proven difficult to come by for Estrela, having only managed two wins and a total of 13 points from 16 matches since that victory over Boavista back in December.
That run of results sees Os Tricolor enter gameweek 30 just six points above the drop and only one clear of being forced into the relegation playoff to maintain their top-flight status next season.
Unlike their opponents, though, Estrela have maintained faith in Sergio Vieira keeping the side up after steering them to promotion last term, though the former Farense manager will undoubtedly be feeling the pressure with matches running thin.
Unfortunately, the visitors' away record this season does not inspire much confidence in their chances of taking all three points here, having only won once in 14 matches on the road this season and failing to score in five of their last six outings.
Team News
© Reuters
Boavista will remain without the services of Cesar and Augusto Dabo, both of whom are unlikely to return to action this season due to cruciate ligament injuries.
Simao's first match in charge will also go ahead with Sebastian Perez, who was sent off in the loss to Arouca last weekend. Perez's absence could allow Bruno Lourenco to return to the starting 11.
Left-winger Gustavo Henrique is the only known injury doubt for the visitors, which will likely mean that Hevertton Santos will continue down the flank for this match.
Kialonda Gaspar, Miguel Lopes and Diogo Fonseca are expected to make up the three-man backline, while Ruben Lima should continue in the wing-back role down the right.
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Goncalves; Sasso, Abascal, Onyemaechi; Malheiro, Camara, Lourenco, Ferreira; Agra, Bozenik, Reisinho
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Brigido; Fonseca, Gaspar, Lopes; Lima, Silva, Cordeiro, Santos; Bucca, Kikas, Nanu
We say: Boavista 2-1 Estrela Amadora
Neither of these sides have been in great form this term, but the hosts have avoided defeat in their last two home games, and a new manager in the dugout may give them the boost needed to claim what would be a huge three points heading into the final stretch of the season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
