Pacos de Ferreira will be looking to move out of the automatic relegation places when they play host to Famalicao in round 27 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Saturday.
The Vila Nova, on the other hand, were denied a third win on the bounce last time out and will journey to the Estadio Capital do Movel looking to immediately return to winning ways.
Match preview
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Pacos de Ferreira were dealt a fresh blow in their race to beat the drop as they were held to a goalless draw by Vitoria de Guimaraes last Saturday.
In a cagey affair at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques, Nigel Thomas came within inches of grabbing a last-gasp winner as his 98th-minute effort struck the Vitoria de Guimaraes crossbar.
Prior to that, Pacos de Ferreira snapped their two-game losing streak on March 11 courtesy of a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Santa Clara, one week before playing out a 1-1 draw with Arouca at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca.
Cesar Peixoto's men have now picked up four wins, five draws and lost 17 of their 26 matches so far to collect 17 points and sit 17th in the Primeira Liga table, two points behind Maritimo in the relegation playoff spot.
Having finished 11th last season, the Pacenses' underwhelming campaign has been owing to their defensive woes as they have conceded 43 goals so far, with only Maritimo and Boavista shipping more.
Pacos de Ferreira have also managed the fewest number of clean sheets so far (3) while they have failed to score in 12 of their 26 matches and they currently hold the division's third-worst attacking record, with just 19 goals scored.
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Famalicao, on the other hand, were sent crashing back to earth as they fell to a late 1-0 defeat against Arouca when the sides met at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Monday.
Guinea international Morlaye Sylla held his nerves from 12 yards out as he converted his 93rd-minute penalty to hand the Arouquenses a last-gasp winner and push them into the Europa Conference League qualification places.
Famalicao were previously on a run of two back-to-back victories, edging out Casa Pia 1-0 on March 13, six days before claiming a 2-1 win over Boavista at the Estadio do Bessa.
With 33 points from 26 games, Joao Pedro Sousa's men are currently 10th in the league standings, level on points with ninth-placed Rio Ave and eight points off the Europa Conference League qualification places.
While the Vila Nova will be looking to return to winning ways, they take a trip to the Estadio Capital do Movel, where they have lost each of their last three visits, stretching back to a 1-0 win in the 2020 Taca de Portugal quarter-finals.
Team News
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Pacos de Ferreira will be without the services of Portuguese goalkeeper Marofana, who picked up a red card against Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out.
In his absence, 24-year-old Igor Vekic should be between the sticks in what will be his first start since the Pacenses' 2-1 loss against Famalicao in October's reverse fixture.
Juan Delgado, Nuno Lima, Maracas and Vitorino Antunes did well to repel the Vitoria de Guimaraes attack last time out and we expect them to form the hosts' defence line once again.
Meanwhile, Famalicao will take to the pitch without Portuguese forward Theo Fonseca, who has been sidelined since October after sustaining an ACL injury.
Jose Luis Rodriguez has been out of action since picking up a hamstring last November and the 24-year-old forward is also out of contention for the Vila Nova.
Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:
Vekic; Delgado, Lima, Maracas, Antunes; Djalo, Pires; Holsgrove; Gaitan, Guedes, Infande
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Mihaj, Moura; Youssouf, Colombatto; Dobre, Rodrigues, Jaime; Cadiz
We say: Pacos de Ferreira 0-1 Famalicao
While Pacos de Ferreira will be looking to return to winning ways and pull clear of the automatic drop zone, their struggles in attack has been a worrying concern this season. Famalicao have been solid in recent weeks and we are backing them to take the positives from Monday's narrow defeat and pick up their third win in four away games.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
