Seeking to pick up a fourth win on the bounce for the first time since January 2017, Portimonense play host to Famalicao at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Sunday.
The visiting side head into the weekend off the back of claiming their first Primeira Liga win of the season and will now look to put together a fine run of form.
Match preview
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Portimonense maintained their solid early form in the new Primeira Liga campaign as they picked up a hard-earned 1-0 victory away to Maritimo last Saturday.
In a cagey affair at the Estadio dos Barreiros, Welinton Junior netted the only goal of the game in the 43rd minute as the Portimao outfit did well to protect their lead and see out the win.
Paulo Sergio's side have now won each of their most recent three outings, scoring six goals and conceding only once since a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Boavista in their league opener on August 7.
With nine points from a possible 12, Portimonense are currently fourth in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with league champions Porto and three points off first-placed Benfica.
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Famalicao, on the other hand, finally gave their fans something to cheer about as they held on to secure a slender 1-0 victory over Santa Clara when the sides squared off last weekend.
New signing Zaydou Youssouf, who recently completed a move from Saint-Etienne, came up trumps at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao as he scored the club's first goals of the season in the 20th minute to see off Mario Silva's men.
Prior to that, the Vila Nova kicked off their season with two consecutive defeats — losing 2-0 to Estoril Praia on August 6 and suffering a 3-0 loss against Braga six days later — before playing out a goalless draw with Gil Vicente on August 22.
Famalicao, who secured an eighth-placed finish in the Primeira Liga last season, head into the weekend on a run of one win from their last seven away games since the start of March, picking up three draws and losing three in that time.
While Rui Silva's men will be looking to build on last weekend's victory, next up is the stern test of taking on a Portimonense side who have won each of their last four meetings between the teams and are unbeaten in their last 10 encounters since a 3-0 loss in November 2015.
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Team News
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Portimonense will be without the services of Brazilian midfielder Carlinhos after the 28-year-old came off injured against Sporting Lisbon back in May.
Fellow countryman Anderson Oliveira was forced off with a game-ending injury midway through the clash against Pacos de Ferreira on August 15 and the 24-year-old is out of contention for the hosts.
Another name on Portimonense's injury list is Nigerian midfielder Adewale Sapara, who is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game after picking up a muscle problem back in July.
Meanwhile, Famalicao turned in a solid defensive performance to see out the win against Santa Clara last time out and Silva could name an unchanged back four of Ruben Lima, Enea Mihaj, Ricceli and Hernan de la Fuente.
Youssouf and Santiago Colombatto should pair at the centre of the park, while we expect to see an attacking duo of Alex Millan and Pedro Brazao for the second consecutive game.
On the injury front, Silva will be unable to call upon the services of Spanish midfielder Ivan Jaime, who has been out of action since January through a ruptured cruciate ligament.
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Rocha, Pedrao; Relvas, Moufi, Moreira, Diaby, Sa, Seck; Junior, Caju
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Fuente, Mihaj, Riccieli, Lima; Youssouf, Colombatto, Tavares, Simoes; Millan, Brazao
We say: Portimonense 2-1 Famalicao
Portimonense kicked off their 2022-23 campaign in fine fashion and head into the weekend firing on all cylinders. They have enjoyed the better of this fixture and we are backing them to extend their dominance over the Vila Nova in front of their home fans.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
