The final match of gameweek seven in the Primeira Liga pits AVS against SC Farense at Estadio do Clube Desportivo das Aves on Monday night.
Vitor Campelos's troops have notched seven points from six rounds in their first taste of top-flight football and seek their third victory at the expense of the division's cellar dwellers, who have endured a wretched start to the 2024-25 season.
Match preview
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Although they are featuring at this level for the first time, AVS have commendably started their maiden Liga campaign by securing seven points from six matches.
Even though that return saw them placed in the division's bottom half entering gameweek seven, supporters will see the glass as half-full given their team had outdone six teams (points accrued) before the start of the current round of fixtures.
AVS have benefited from results on home soil, notching all seven of their point return in Aves, where they remain undefeated in three matches.
After playing out a draw against fellow new boys Nacional on the opening weekend of 24-25, Campelos's side have secured consecutive 1-0 wins over Vitoria Guimaraes and Rio Ave and aim to make that three on the trot on Monday.
They will back themselves for that victory, given Farense's struggles this term, underscored by challenges at both ends of the pitch through a disheartening six rounds.
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Toze Marreco — appointed to replace Jose Mota — takes over a side to have let in 13 goals and netted two before the seventh gameweek, showcasing the team's dearth of quality at both ends, contributing to their losing streak.
Having battled at the home of title-challenging Porto after the international break, where they notched their second league goal this term in the 2-1 loss, Leoes de Faro fired blanks last weekend as they fell 1-0 to Arouca in front of their supporters.
The upshot of last year's 10th-placed side starting this term poorly means they went into the gameweek as one of two clubs without a win, although Estrela Amadora beat Moreirense in round seven for their first triumph.
Faro hope Lady Luck smiles on them in Monday's visit to Aves, even if a broader analysis of their road form points to more disappointment for a side that have lost eight of the previous 10 away Liga fixtures, securing four points from an available 40.
Having last won on their travels in late April, allied with AVS' stinginess in Aves, the visiting side must pull out all the stops to avoid a fifth consecutive loss on their travels and a fourth this term.
Team News
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Nene, AVS' match-winner against Guimaraes, and Vasco Lopes, scorer against Rio Ave, are ruled out due to injury, joining Lucas Moura, who has a shoulder issue.
Rodrigo Ribeiro should return to lead the home side's attack after sitting out last week's 3-0 loss against parent club Sporting Lisbon.
Toze will be without the injured quartet of Kaique Pereira, Marco Matias, Tomane and Jaiminho in his first match in charge of the away side.
Apart from the injured Tomane, only Alex Bermejo Escribano has found the back of the net for Farense this term, and the new boss hopes other players on the roster take responsibility for the struggling club.
AVS possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Fonseca, Devenish, Roux, Kiki; Piazon, Grau, Assuncao; Kamate, Ribeiro, Mercado
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Velho; Morais, Jorge, Moreno, Poloni; Menino, Neto, Falcao; Merghem, Poveda, Barbosa
We say: AVS 1-0 SC Farense
While the recent managerial change at Farense means Monday's outcome may not be as straightforward as previously anticipated, we are backing the promoted side to notch a third consecutive home triumph to inflict the away side's seventh loss on the trot to continue their undefeated sequence on as hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
