Moreirense and Famalicao will get the ball rolling in round 19 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga when they go head to head on Sunday evening.
The Vila Nova journey to the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas where they have failed to win any of their previous three visits since June 2020 and will be looking to end this poor run.
Match preview
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Moreirense were condemned to their heaviest defeat of the season last Saturday when they suffered a 5-0 dismantling against title-chasing Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.
Moreirense were simply outplayed and outclassed by the Dragoes, who cruised to their 13th league victory courtesy of goals from Evanilson, Wenderson Galeno, Alan Varela and a brace from full-back Wendell.
Rui Borges's men have now lost two of their three matches since the turn of the year, with a 3-1 win over Estoril Praia at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on January 13 sandwiched between the two defeats.
Despite their recent drop-off in form, Moreirense remain in the European qualification picture and on course for their joint-highest league position, which came in the 2018–19 campaign when they clinched a sixth-placed finish.
Os verdes e brancos have now lost five of their 18 Primeira Liga matches while picking up eight wins and five draws to collect 29 points and sit sixth in the table, seven points behind fourth-placed Braga in the Europa Conference League qualification spot.
Moreirense will be backing themselves to find their feet this weekend as they take on an opposing side who have failed to win seven of the last eight meetings between the teams, losing three and claiming four draws since July 2018.
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Famalicao, on the other hand, were sent crashing back to earth last time out as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Braga when the sides met at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.
Following a relatively uneventful first half, the game sparked into life shortly after the hour mark when Jhonder Cadiz opened the scoring to put the hosts in front but Cristian Borja and Alvaro Djalo found the target to turn the game on its head.
Prior to that, Famalicao picked up their first win of the year on January 13, when they edged out 10-man Casa Pia 2-0 at the Estadio Pina Manique to snap their six-match winless run across all competitions.
Joao Pedro Sousa's side have now lost six of their 18 Primeira Liga matches while claiming five wins and seven draws to collect 22 points and sit eighth in the table, six points above the relegation playoff spot.
Famalicao's major struggles have come on their travels, where they have failed to win seven of their last eight league matches — losing three and picking up four draws — with the victory over Casa Pia a fortnight ago being the exception.
Team News
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Moreirense remain without the services of Portuguese forward Hernani Infande, who has been out of action since suffering a severe injury in May 2023.
He is joined on Os verdes e brancos' injury table by Senegalese defender Alhassane Sylla, who also continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Brazilian striker Andre Luis, who has eight goals involvements in 15 league matches this season, has missed each of the Moreirense's three games this year and is also a major doubt for Sunday's match.
Famalicao will have to cope without the services of 23-year-old midfielder Gustavo Assuncao, who is suspended after picking up a red card in the game against Braga last time out.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers man Chiquinho will also play no part in Sunday's game through a one-game suspension after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Braga.
On the injury front, the Vila Nova will take to the pitch without Panama striker Jose Luis Rodriguez, who has missed the last six matches after coming off injured against Porto on December 2.
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Pinto, Maracas, Marcelo, Amador; Ismael, Franco, Camacho; Alanzinho, Kodisang, Aias
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Nathan, Riccieli, Otavio, Moura; Youssouf, Topic; Fonseca, Sa, Dobre; Cadiz
We say: Moreirense 2-1 Famalicao
Moreirense and Famalicao have stumbled into the new year and will head into the weekend looking to return to winning ways. However, Os verdes e brancos' home advantage gives them a slight edge and we fancy them to claim all three points, albeit by the odd goal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
