SC Farense will be looking to climb out of the relegation zone when they go head to head with Rio Ave in round 19 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Saturday.
The Vilacondenses, who have managed just one away win in the league this term, have failed to taste victory in their three visits to the Estadio de Sao Luis since October 2020 and will need to be at their best this weekend if they are to come away with the desired result.
Match preview
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Farense failed to pull clear of the danger zone last Sunday as they played out a goalless draw with Moreirense when the two sides squared off at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas.
The Leoes de Faro struggled to create anything meaningful in the final third for most of the contest, with their biggest chance of the game coming in the 17th minute when Claudio Falcao failed to keep his header on target from close range.
Prior to that, Farense suffered a fifth-round exit from the Taca de Portugal on January 14, when they were beaten 3-1 by Benfica at the Estadio de Sao Luis courtesy of quick-fire goals from Andreas Schjelderup, Arthur Cabral and Alexander Bah in the second half.
With last weekend's result, Toze Marreco's men have gone unbeaten in four consecutive league matches, claiming one win and three draws, and have lost just one of their last eight outings, which came on December 14 when they were beaten 1-0 by Gil Vicente .
Having kicked off the season with eight defeats and just one win from their opening 10 games, this upturn in form has seen Farense surge from the bottom of the Primeira Liga table as they now occupy 16th place, and could move into 14th with all three points on Saturday.
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On the other hand, Rio Ave were no match for Primeira Liga title-chasers Sporting Lisbon as they suffered a 3-0 thrashing against the Leoes when the two sides squared off at the Estadio dos Arcos last weekend.
Aderllan Santos netted an own goal three minutes into the contest to set Sporting Lisbon on their way before Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres found the back of the net to cap off a dominant team display.
Rio Ave had gone unbeaten in each of their previous three outings, claiming one draw and two wins, including a 3-1 victory over Casa Pia at the Estadio Pina Manique on January 12 which saw them book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Taca de Portugal.
Petit's men have now lost eight of their 18 Primeira Liga matches this term while picking up five wins and five draws to collect 20 points and sit 12th in the standings, level on points with 11th-placed Famalicao.
Rio Ave will be backing themselves to bounce back this weekend as they go up against an opposing side whom they are unbeaten against in seven of their last eight encounters, claiming five wins and two draws since October 2020.
Team News
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Farense remain without the services of Brazilian goalkeeper Luiz Felipe, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a severe injury in February 2024.
The Leoes de Faro will also have to cope without experienced midfielder Falcao, who is suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Moreirense last time out.
On the other hand, Rio Ave will take to the pitch without the services of 35-year-old defender Santos, who recently completed a permanent move to AVS.
In his absence, 21-year-old Joao Tome will push for his fourth league start of the campaign, forming the back four with Marios Vrousai, Francisco Petrasso and Nottingham Forest loanee Omar Richards.
Clayton was a notable absentee against Sporting Lisbon through suspension and the Brazilian striker, who has racked up nine league goals, should return to the fold this weekend.
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Velho; Ribeiro, Moreno, Jorge; Pastor, Soares, Menino, Victor; Pinto, Poveda, Matias
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Miszta; Vrousai, Petrasso, Tome, Richards; Tiknaz, Pohlmann, Novais; Bondoso, Clayton, Aguilera
We say: SC Farense 2-1 Rio Ave
While Farense have turned a corner since their stuttering start to the campaign, they have played out three consecutive stalemates in their last three outings, dropping six points from the last nine available. Rio Ave have struggled to impose themselves on the road this season and we predict that Marreco's men will do just enough to come away with all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
