Looking to recover from defeat, Famalicao will welcome AVS to the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Sunday for round 27 of the Primeira Liga.
The hosts are looking to rediscover the defensive solidity that saw them go on a five-match unbeaten streak prior to the last three matches, while the visitors are looking to end another rough patch.
Match preview
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Famalicao's recent defensive resilience was the foundation of their impressive five-match unbeaten run between mid-January and late February, during which they won three games and drew two, scoring six goals without conceding.
However, Hugo Oliveira's men have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, with a 1-0 home win over Rio Ave sandwiched between a 2-1 defeat to Nacional and a 3-1 loss at Sporting Lisbon last time out.
That loss to Sporting saw Vila Nova concede three goals in a single match for the first time since their 4-0 defeat at Benfica in January, but fortunately for them, it did not affect their league position, as they remain ninth in the standings with 34 points.
Having finished eighth with 42 points last season, Famalicao have eight matches left to match that tally and will be eager to use their recent home form as a springboard.
At the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao, the hosts have found their rhythm in recent weeks, keeping four consecutive clean sheets while remaining unbeaten – goalless draws against Estrela and Vitoria de Guimaraes were followed by a 2-0 victory over Moreirense and a 1-0 win against Rio Ave.
They will now look to extend that home streak against a struggling AVS side, who they edged 3-2 in their first-ever league meeting earlier in the campaign.
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For the visitors, the priority is avoiding the relegation play-off spot, having only been promoted to the top flight this season via the play-offs.
Rui Ferreira's men currently sit 15th in the table with 23 points, level on points and goal difference with Estrela, who occupy the play-off spot, while they are only below 14th-placed Gil Vicente due to an inferior goal difference.
AVS have struggled to turn draws into wins this season, recording the league's highest number of stalemates (11) alongside Guimaraes, while they have also suffered 11 defeats, which have mostly come in clusters.
The team from Vila das Aves have lost back-to-back league matches four times this season, with their latest streak coming after a 1-0 defeat to Arouca and a 2-0 loss away at Porto, where they played with 10 men from the 46th minute.
Now, AVS risk losing three league games in a row for the first time this season, further denting their survival hopes, and things are looking bleak as Ferreira has only won one match since taking charge of the team on February 16, in what is his first top-flight managerial role.
Team News
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Famalicao have a largely fit squad, with Ivan Zlobin their only injury absentee, and this leaves Oliveira with plenty of selection options.
Mathias De Amorim was left on the bench last time out but is expected to return to the starting XI, partnering Tommie van de Looi in midfield.
Oscar Aranda, who scored against Sporting, is likely to retain his place in the front three, while goalkeeper Lazar Carevic will enter the game full of confidence after being named Primeira Liga's Goalkeeper of the Month.
For AVS, Ignacio Rodriguez will miss the match after his sending-off against Porto, likely paving the way for Jorge Teixeira to step into central defence.
Aderllan Santos and Lucas Moura remain sidelined through injury, while Rodrigo Ribeiro, who picked up a knock during international duty with Portugal's U21s, is doubtful.
Gerson Rodrigues is also a doubt after sustaining an injury while representing the Luxembourg national team.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Carevic; Pinheiro, Haas, Mihaj, Rafa; Sa, Amorim, Looi; Sorriso, Aranda, Sejk
AVS possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Veiga, Devenish, Teixeira, Tavares; Grau, Piazon; Mercado, Fernandes, Lopes; Luis
We say: Famalicao 2-0 AVS
Famalicao's defensive resilience at home should give them the edge, and they will be confident of extending their run of clean sheets against an AVS side struggling for form, which is why we expect a home victory and a clean sheet in this encounter.
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