After a turbulent first half of the season, Boavista welcome Casa Pia to Estadio do Bessa for their 18th Primera Liga encounter as they look to turn their fortunes around.
The hosts come into this fixture rooted to the bottom of the table with just 12 points, three adrift of safety, having failed to win any of their last seven outings.
Match preview
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The 2024-25 campaign has been a torrid one for Boavista, with just two victories in 17 Primera Liga outings — their last triumph coming on a trip to Gil Vicente on November 11 — and since then, they have managed only three draws while suffering four defeats, including back-to-back losses in their most recent matches.
Before that win, Os Axadrezados endured an even longer drought, going nine games across all competitions without victory, with eight of those coming in the top flight.
Boavista's struggles were further highlighted in their last outing as they failed to make home advantage count against fellow relegation battlers Arouca, who ran out 3-1 winners in that bottom-of-the-table clash.
Cristiano Bacci's men now face an even tougher test against Casa Pia, who have won their last two away games in the top flight, though the hosts can draw encouragement from the fact that one of their two wins this season came against the Geese – a 1-0 success at Estadio Pina Manique on the opening day.
However, replicating that result may be a tall order given As Panteras' struggles at the Bessa, where they hold the worst home record in the division as the only side yet to secure victory on their own turf.
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Meanwhile, the visitors will be eager to deepen Boavista's' woes, buoyed by their recent form, which has seen them win three of their last five league games, though their winning streak ended with a 1-1 draw against Famalicao in their last outing.
Os Gansos were paddling towards a fourth straight victory when Joao Goulart put them ahead in the 18th minute, but their lead was short-lived as Oscar Aranda levelled 16 minutes later to bring their perfect run to a halt.
That result leaves them seventh in the standings with 24 points, seven behind fourth-placed Braga, who occupy the Conference League spot, and Casa Pia now require another winning streak to revive hopes of securing their first-ever European qualification.
Having avoided defeat in both of their previous visits to the Bessa, recording draws on each occasion, the Geese will aim for an even better outcome this time, bolstered by their recent away successes, having won three of their last five matches on the road across all competitions.
Casa Pia enter this fixture following a 3-1 home defeat against Rio Ave in the Taca de Portugal round of 16, which ended their journey in the competition.
Team News
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Boavista's situation with suspensions continues as they welcome back Rodrigo Abascal after the defender missed the last match due to accumulated yellow cards, but they will be without Sebastian Perez, who received a red card in that fixture.
This creates an opening in midfield for Ibrahima Camara, who could pair up with Ilija Vukotic in a double-pivot role.
On the injury front, Bacci remains without Joao Goncalves and 20-year-old Luis Pires, who continue their lengthy spells on the sidelines due to knee injuries, while Joel Silva is a doubt for this one.
For the visitors, Nuno Moreira returns after missing the last game through suspension, while Clau Mendes and Kiki Silva remain out with injuries.
Patrick Sequeira, Andre Geraldes, Telasco Segovia, Andrian Kraev and Braga-linked Leonardo Lelo should all return to the starting XI after being rested in the defeat to Rio Ave last weekend.
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Cesar; Gomes, Abascal, Ferreira, Dabo; Camara, Vukotic; Agra, Reisinho, Onyemaechi; Bozenik
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Sequeira; Goulart, Fonte, Tchamba; Geraldes, Segovia, Kraev, Lelo; Livolant, Cassiano, Moreira
We say: Boavista 0-1 Casa Pia
Casa Pia's strong away form contrasts sharply with Boavista's struggles at the Bessa, where they remain the only side yet to win at home.
While the hosts' urgency for points is undeniable, their lack of confidence leaves them vulnerable, making an away win the most probable outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
