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Belenenses
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 31
May 6, 2021 at 5pm UK
Estádio do Restelo
Portimonense

Belenenses
1 - 0
Portimonense

Cassierra (45+3')
Varela (59'), Sithole (61'), Taira (73')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Moufi (90+1')

Preview: Belenenses vs. Portimonense - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Primeira Liga clash between Belenenses and Portimonense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Belenenses and Portimonense square off in Primeira Liga on Thursday with just goal difference separating the two teams in mid-table.

Sitting just five points above the relegation playoff, both clubs remain focused on trying to secure their survival in Portugal's top flight with a couple of games to spare.


Match preview

Belenenses head coach Petit pictured in July 2020© Reuters

With over a quarter of their goals for the season coming in the last four games, supporters of Belenenses have been left encouraged with their improved return in the final third.

However, after scoring twice in three successive games, Belenenses lost out 1-0 to Pacos de Ferreira in their last outing, a result which ended their four-match undefeated run.

Although Petit will have been disappointed with conceding a late goal in that fixture, he will remain encouraged with just three defeats being posted in 14 encounters.

Belenenses now face a triple-header with their direct rivals for seventh position, giving them every opportunity to record a significant improvement on last season's 15th-placed finish.

On the flip side, they remain just three points above that spot in the table, facing the same scenario as their upcoming opponents.

Portimonense had looked on course to be sitting comfortably in the top half of the table when they registered three successive victories.

However, a 5-1 reverse at home to Benfica has been followed by draws against Farense and Rio Ave, leaving Paulo Sergio and his squad with work to do in order to avoid relegation.

Given their fortunate escape last season, there will be those associated with Portimonense who will be satisfied as long as they finish outside of the bottom three.

That said, with fourth-placed Braga representing their toughest fixture during the run-in, there is no reason why they should not be targeting seventh over the coming weeks.

Belenenses Primeira Liga form:
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L

Portimonense Primeira Liga form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • D



Team News

Having only lost out 1-0 away at the fifth-placed side in the division last time out, Petit may be prepared to name the same Belenenses XI.

Cafu could return in place of Bruno Ramires, a move which would potentially allow Afonso Sousa to play further forward.

Barring any late fitness issues, Sergio will give consideration to selecting the Portimonense starting lineup which featured against Rio Ave.

Anderson Oliveira may come back into the team in place of Denis-Will Poha if Sergio opts for more creativity.

Belenenses possible starting lineup:
Kritsyuk; Silva, Henrique, Ribeiro; Esgaio, Yaya, Taira, Cafu, Lima; Sousa, Teixeira

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Moufi, Possignolo, Antonio, Anzai; Poha, Sa, Dener; Boa Morte, Beto, Fabricio


SM words green background

We say: Belenenses 1-1 Portimonense

As well as both clubs being expected to prioritise avoiding defeat in this contest, neither team have been firing on all cylinders in the final third.

With that in mind, a low-scoring draw appears most likely, a result which would edge the sides closer to safety.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Portimonense win with a probability of 39.98%. A win for Belenenses had a probability of 31.77% and a draw had a probability of 28.2%.

The most likely scoreline for a Portimonense win was 0-1 with a probability of 12.37%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.13%) and 0-2 (7.63%). The likeliest Belenenses win was 1-0 (10.7%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.19%). The actual scoreline of 1-0 was predicted with a 10.7% likelihood.


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Game History

How you voted: Belenenses vs Portimonense

Belenenses
54.0%
Draw
34.0%
Portimonense
12.0%
50
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Porto coach Sergio Conceicao pictured on April 7, 2021
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon1111003953433
2Porto119022882027
3Benfica108112872125
4Santa ClaraSanta Clara117041412221
5Braga116231911820
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes115331211118
7FamalicaoFamalicao11452129317
8MoreirenseMoreirense115241514117
9Casa Pia113441014-413
10Rio AveRio Ave113351020-1012
11Gil Vicente112451419-510
12Estoril PraiaEstoril11245816-810
13AVS11245919-1010
14BoavistaBoavista11236715-89
15Estrela Amadora112361020-109
16Nacional10226615-98
17AroucaArouca11227619-138
18SC FarenseFarense11128518-135


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