Heading into the final matchday of the Liga Primeira season, Chaves host Boavista at the Estadio Municipal de Chaves on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts missed out on finishing in a European spot and would need a big goal swing to go against them to finish any lower than seventh, while the visitors are looking to consolidate a place in the top half.
Match preview
© Reuters
A Morlaye Sylla penalty snapped Chaves' unbeaten run of six games last weekend, as Vitor Campelos's side lost 1-0 away at Arouca.
The Flavienses have fought until the very end in their quest to secure European football for next season, but even if results go their way, they can not finish any higher than seventh in the standings.
Despite the defeat last weekend, Camelos's side are one of the form teams in the entire division, having picked up 10 points in their last five games, leaving them on a tally of 46 points heading into the final match of the season.
In addition, Chaves are seeking to win their fourth consecutive home match this weekend, keeping three clean sheets in their previous three victories against Benfica, Casa Pia and Pacos de Ferreira.
© Reuters
Meanwhile, a 93rd-minute equaliser from Yusupha Njie spared Boavista's blushes last time out at home against Braga, keeping their aspirations of a top-half finish alive.
Petit's side have enjoyed a respectable campaign in front of their own fans, picking up 30 points from 17 games, but it has been their away form that has let them down.
Boavista have now failed to win any of their last five away games, losing four and picking up one point from a possible 15 since February's 3-1 victory at Pacos de Ferreira.
Boavista have picked up 41 points from 33 matches — three points more than last season's tally — to sit 10th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with Casa Pia. However, a top-half finish remains on the cards should they pick up all three points on Saturday and other results go in their favour.
Team News
© Reuters
Campelos may decide to shuffle the pack for the final game of the season, especially after the 1-0 defeat to Arouca last weekend.
However, Joao Teixeira and Steven Vitoria look set to retain their places in the starting XI, along with Paulo Vitor between the sticks.
Boavista remain without 23-year-old midfielder Masaki Watai, who will serve the final game of his suspension after picking up a straight red against Estoril Praia on May 6.
However, Bruno Onyemaechi returned to the side against Braga after missing the trip to Gil Vicente through a muscle problem, so he could keep his place in the starting lineup this weekend.
Chaves possible starting lineup:
Vitor; Monte, Ponck, Vitoria, Langa; Mendes, Guima, Teixeira; Correia, Hernandez, Sousa
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Bracali; Malheiro, Cannon, Abascal, Makouta; Onyemaechi, Perez; Gorre, Lourenco, Mangas; Bozenik
We say: Chaves 2-0 Boavista
Chaves are enjoying a good run of form at home, so we think they will finish the season on a high and win their fourth consecutive match in front of their own fans.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
