Famalicao face off against Sporting Lisbon in the Primeira Liga at the Estadio Muncipal de Famalicao this Sunday.
The home side face a tough test but will be looking to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone, while the visitors are pushing for the Champions League qualification places.
Match preview
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Famalicao made a very poor start to the season, picking up just one win in their opening seven games, scoring just one goal in the process.
Despite the defeats, however, Joao Pedro Sousa's side were rarely totally outclassed, and a three-game run of losing 1-0 was ended with an emphatic 4-0 victory against Boavista at the start of October.
This was the moment where the tide began to turn for the side from the north of Portugal, as they now boast a record of four wins, one draw, and two defeats in their last seven games, a marked improvement, and they now sit in 14th place.
While two of these victories have been in the Taca de Portugal, Famalicao have still been impressive and also managed to defeat Pacos Ferreira 2-1 in their last league outing on home soil.
Last time out, Sousa's men triumphed 4-1 over Dumiense to progress to the next round of the Taca de Portugal, with forward Jhonder Cadiz bagging a brace, his first two goals of the season, in what could be a confidence-boosting win.
Sporting have so far failed to emulate their fine form in the 2021-22 season, in which they finished in second place, six points off title winners FC Porto.
Rather than chasing top spot, the aim for the Lions at this stage will be to get themselves in the top three, as they currently sit in fifth, 12 points adrift of first-placed Benfica.
Ruben Amorim's side also had to settle for third place in their Champions League group, with their European adventure only continuing because of a last-minute Tottenham Hotspur goal to send Marseille down to fourth place.
These added fixtures may have hindered Sporting so far, as they have failed to put a consistent run together in the Primeira Liga, not once winning more than two games on the spin.
After a 1-0 loss away to Arouca denied Amorim's men the achievement of three-straight wins, they did return to winning ways in their last league match, defeating Guimaraes 3-0 courtesy of a Marcus Edwards brace either side of a Hidemasa Morita contribution.
Team News
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Famalicao striker Theo Fonseca is making progress in his return from injury, having missed his side's last six games, but he is likely to miss out once more.
Ivan Jaime may get the nod as a strike partner for Alejandro Millan, as he replaced the injured Junior Kadile in the recent 0-0 draw against Maritimo, with Kadile then not making the squad for the Dumiense game.
Other than his selection issues in attacking areas, Sousa has a full squad to choose from, which is a big boost in a fixture against such tricky opponents.
Sporting have a few more concerns to worry about, with midfielder Nuno Santos unlikely to play, having missed the last match with an ankle injury sustained in the 2-1 defeat to Frankfurt.
Daniel Braganca will also miss out in central midfield, as he is still on the treatment table with a ligament issue and is not expected to be back until early December.
Centre-back Luis Neto cannot feature due to a knee injury, and so Sebastian Coates, Goncalo Inacio and Matheus Reis should make up a three-pronged defence.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Mihaj, Moura; Assuncao, Puma, Pele, Rodrigues; Millan, Jaime
Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Adan; Inacio, Coates, Reis; Porro, Ugarte, Morita, Nazinho; Gomes, Pote, Paulinho
We say: Famalicao 0-2 Sporting Lisbon
Famalicao have started the process of turning their season around in recent matches, but they are still no match for a quality Sporting side, who so nearly managed to progress from a tricky Champions League group. As such, we expect the visitors to win in fairly comfortable style.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Dominic Lund
