Famalicao and Casa Pia draw the curtains on round 24 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga when they go head to head at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Monday.
Having suffered a 1-0 loss in September's reverse fixture, the Vila Nova will be looking to get one over the visiting side and move into the top half of the league standings.
Match preview
© Reuters
Famalicao failed to break their Benfica hoodoo as they were beaten 2-0 by Roger Schmidt's men when the sides squared off at the Estadio da Luz two Fridays ago.
Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos turned in another eye-catching performance as he scored in either half to hand the hosts their 20th league win and make it 10 consecutive games without defeat against the Vila Nova.
Prior to that, Famalicao edged out Santa Clara 3-1 at the Estadio de Sao Miguel on February 19 to snap their two-game losing streak, before grinding out a 1-0 win over Portimonense five days later.
Joao Pedro Sousa's men now return home, where they are unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches across all competitions — claiming four wins and three draws — with a 1-0 loss against Gil Vicente on February 12 being the exception.
Famalicao have picked up eight wins, three draws and lost 12 of their 23 matches to collect 27 points and sit 13th in the Primeira Liga table, but could rise level on points with ninth-placed Boavista with a win on Monday.
© Reuters
Having only ended an 83-year absence from the Primeira Liga less than a year ago, Casa Pia have enjoyed a sensational return to the top flight as they challenge for their first appearance in Europe.
Filipe Martins's men turned in a resilient team performance last time out when they came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over league strugglers Pacos de Fereira at the Estadio Pina Manique.
Paulo Bernardo put the Pacenses ahead with a neat strike right on the stroke of half time, but an own goal from Maracas and Fernando Varela's 76th-minute strike helped the hosts complete an impressive comeback.
Prior to that, Casa Pia were on a five-game winless run across all competitions, picking up two draws and losing three, including a disappointing 5-2 loss against Nacional in the Taca de Portugal quarter-final on February 9.
With 35 points from 23 matches, the Lisbon outfit are currently seventh in the Primeira Liga standings, five points adrift of fifth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes in the final Europa Conference League qualification spot.
While Os Gansos will be looking to do the double over Famalicao and pick up successive wins for the first time since November, they have struggled on the road since the turn of the year, picking up just one point from their four league matches since a 2-1 win at Portimonense on December 28.
Team News
© Reuters
Famalicao will be without several key players down the spine of the team, including trio of Jhonder Cadiz, Alex Dobre and Zaydou Youssouf, who are suspended.
On the injury front, Sousa will be unable to call upon Theo Fonseca and Jose Luis Rodriguez, who are currently recuperating from ACL and hamstring injuries respectively.
Rui Fonte came off with a knee injury against Braga on February 5 and the Portuguese striker, who has 15 appearances this season, will play no part in Monday's game.
Meanwhile, Casa Pia will have to cope without the Brazilian forward Leo Natel, who has been sidelined since suffering a season-ending ACL injury in November.
He is joined on Os Gansos' injury table by fellow countryman Rafael Martins, who is set to sit out his third consecutive game after coming off injured against Vitoria de Guimaraes on February 19.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Mihaj, Moura; Youssouf, Colombatto, Sanca, Rodrigues, Jaime; Felipe
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Batista; Varela, Fernandes, Zolotic; Soares, Taira, Neto, Lelo; Godwin, Clayton, Soma
We say: Famalicao 2-1 Casa Pia
Considering Casa Pia's recent struggles away from home, Famalicao are slight favourites on Monday as they have put together a fine run of results at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao in recent weeks. We predict a cagey affair in this one with the Vila Nova returning to winning ways.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
