Seeking to secure their first Primeira Liga away win of the season, AVS journey to the Estadio Pina Manique to go head to head with Casa Pia on Sunday.
Os Gansos head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last five home matches across all competitions since the start of September and will be looking to extend this fine run.
Match preview
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Casa Pia failed to move into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings on Monday as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against a Porto when the two sides squared off at the Estadio do Dragao.
Having failed to win any of the previous five meetings between the two teams since December 2019, Os Gansos went into the game looking to get one over Porto but goals from Fabio Vieira and Samu Omorodion saw the Dragoes extend their streak in this fixture.
Casa Pia had gone unbeaten in each of their previous five matches across all competitions, picking up two draws and three wins, including victories over Amora and Chaves to reach the fifth round of the Taca de Portugal.
With Monday's result, Joao Pereira's men have failed to win all but one of their most recent seven Primeira Liga games — losing twice and claiming four draws — with a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Nacional being the exception.
After a third of the 2024-25 campaign, Casa Pia, who finished ninth in the Primeira Liga table last season, currently sit 11th in the table, having picked up 13 points from their 12 matches so far.
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Over in the North, AVS were left empty handed once again as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Braga when the two sides met at the Estadio do CD das Aves last Sunday.
In a game where Jorge Teixeira received his marching orders, Gabriel Martinez grabbed the headlines for Braga as he netted the only goal of the game in the 69th minute to fire them to a seventh league victory.
AVS have now lost three games on the spin, including a shock 3-2 defeat against Campeonato de Portugal outfit Lusitano Evora, and have failed to win their last six, losing five and claiming one draw since October's 2-0 victory over Os Sandinenses in the cup.
Having gained promotion from the Segunda Liga last term, Daniel Ramos's men have picked up two wins and four draws from their six matches so far to collect 10 points and sit 14th in the table, level on points with Gil Vicente and Boavista.
While AVS will be looking to stop the rot and pull clear of the danger zone, results on their travels offer little optimism as they have failed to win any of their five away matches so far, losing three and claiming two draws while scoring four and conceding 10 so far.
Team News
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Casa Pia will take to the pitch without summer signing Claudio Mendes, who is yet to make an appearance for Os Gansos as he continues his journey to full fitness after sustaining an injury in May.
Portuguese forward Kiki Afonso has missed each of the last 13 matches since coming off injured against Mafra back in August and the 26-year-old forward is out of contention for the hosts.
AVS will have to cope without the services of Jaume Grau and veteran defender Teixeira, who are currently suspended following their bookings against Braga last time out.
On the injury front, Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura continues his long journey to full fitness after picking up a severe shoulder problem back in March and will play no part in this weekend's tie.
Fellow midfielder Giorgi Aburjania has missed each of the last four games since coming off with a thigh injury against Famalicao on November 3 and will play no part in this weekend's clash.
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Sequeira; Goulart, Kluivert, Tchamba; Larrazabal, Segovia, Mukendi, Lelo; Livolant, Cassiano, Moreira
AVS possible starting lineup:
Bertelli; Fonseca, Rodrigues, Rodriguez, Roux, Kiki; Silva, Mercado, Mendonca, Piazon; Ze Luis
We say: Casa Pia 2-1 AVS
Casa Pia were no match for a star-studded and more experienced Porto side last time out but will be backing themselves to bounce back at home, where they have been tough to crack of late. AVS have struggled to grind out results on their travels and we predict that Casa Pia will come away with the desired result this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
