Moreirense and Vizela get round 32 of the Primeira Liga underway when they go head to head at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on Thursday.
While the Os verdes e brancos set out looking to secure consecutive wins for the first time since November, the visitors head into the game knowing their three-year stint in the top flight could come to an end.
Match preview
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Moreirense returned to winning ways last Saturday as they edged out a dogged Portimonense 2-0 when the two sides squared off at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao.
With nothing to separate the sides heading into the final quarter-hour, Brazilian defender Maracas stepped home and gave the visitors the lead in the 78th minute before Joao Camacho put the result beyond reach with a 94th-minute strike.
Prior to that, Rui Borges's men were on a run of four consecutive games without a win — losing three and picking up one — a run which saw their push for European football effectively come to an end.
Moreirense have now won 13 of their 31 Primeira Liga matches while losing 11 and claiming seven draws to collect 46 points and sit sixth in the league table, one point above seventh-placed Arouca.
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Vizela, on the other hand, find themselves on the cusp of relegation after what has been a hugely disappointing campaign and will need a miracle to preserve their top-flight status.
With just three games left in the 2023-24 campaign, the Vizelenses have gathered just 22 points so fate currently sit rock-bottom in the league table, six points behind Portimonense in the relegation playoff spot.
Vizela were denied three huge points in their battle at the wrong end of the table last weekend as they could only salvage a 1-1 draw with Rio Ave courtesy of a 37th-minute strike from in-form striker Samuel Essende.
Ruben de la Barrera's men have now failed to win any of their last six matches, picking up just one point from a possible 18 since scraping a 2-1 victory over Farense on March 9.
Vizela head into Thursday knowing defeat will seal their relegation, while even a draw will also see them go down should Portimonense and Estrela both avoid defeat.
Even a win will not be enough to keep the Vizelenses up as victories for Portimonense, Estrela and Boavista will see them drop into the second tier, ending their three-year stay in the top flight.
Next up for Vizela is an opposing side who they have failed to get the better of in each of their last three encounters, losing twice and picking up one draw since a 1-0 victory in the Taca de Portugal back in October 2016.
Team News
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Moreirense will have to cope without the services of Fabiano and Ruben Ramos, who are both suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold against Portimonense last time out.
On the injury front, Senegalese defender Alhassane Sylla continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines and will play no part in the midweek matchup.
He is joined on Os verdes e brancos' injury table by Portuguese forward Hernani Infande, who has been sidelined since picking up a muscle problem against Arouca on March 17.
Meanwhile, Vizela remain without Serbian striker Sava Petrov, who has missed each of the last two matches through a knee problem, while Matias Lacava is currently recuperating from a slight injury.
Experienced midfielder Bruno Costa is set to sit out his fourth straight game due to a muscle problem that he sustained following the game against Casa Pia on March 31 while Aleksandar Busnic is also out of contention for the visitors.
With his strike against Rio Ave, Essende now has 15 Primeira Liga goals under his belt and the French striker will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Secco, Guga, Marcelo, Maracas, Frimpong; Ofori, Castro; Camacho, Alanzinho, Asue; Aias
Vizela possible starting lineup:
Ruberto; Silva, Goncalves, Anderson, Lebedenko; Nascimento, Samu; Lokilo, Quina, Soro; Essende
We say: Moreirense 2-1 Vizela
Vizela have endured a forgettable campaign so far and find themselves on the verge of dropping into the second division. In contrast, Moreirense are well on course for a top-half finish and we see them coming away with all three points in front of their home supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
