This weekend's Primeira Liga action will get underway at Estadio Municipal de Portimao, where Portimonense will play host to SC Farense on Friday evening.
This match will mark the halfway point of the 2023-24 league season for these two teams, and the hosts will head into it in 16th place in the league standings while the visitors are seventh.
Match preview
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Portimonense were in 12th place in the Primeira Liga just a couple of weeks ago but have been in a freefall over the last month and a half. Following last week's defeat to Rio Ave, they find themselves occupying the relegation playoff just a week into 2024.
In that match, the White and Black managed to get to halftime with the scores still level at 0-0, but they were unable to respond to second-half goals by Emmanuel Boateng and Ze Manuel and ended on the wrong side of a 2-0 scoreline.
That result marked Paulo Sergio's side's third loss in succession, while they have managed only one point in five league matches since returning from the November international break.
At home this season, the hosts have managed a record of two wins, two draws and three losses, though they are winless in their last three matches in all competitions on home soil, which included being knocked out of the Taca de Portugal by Braga.
Portimonense have struggled in defence this season, having already conceded 36 goals and holding a goal differential of -19. They will find themselves in the bottom two this week if they lose this match and Vizela manage to overcome Boavista on Sunday afternoon.
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Meanwhile, despite failing to win a single league match in December, Farense will likely be fairly content with their overall performance in the first half of the season, back in the top flight.
The Lions of Faro have managed six wins, three draws and seven losses over the first 16 matches of the season, and their 21-point tally is good for a spot in the top half of the table and eight points clear of the drop zone.
After ending 2023 poorly, Jose Mota's side got this year started on a positive note as they managed to overcome Gil Vicente at home last weekend, snapping up a four-match winless run that included two draws and two losses.
The visitors will now be hoping to improve their away form this season, having only taken eight points from a possible 21 to date, and they will also be bidding to avoid a third consecutive road game without a win.
Team News
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Portimonense have no major injury concerns heading into this match and will be able to welcome back Ronie Carrillo, who has missed the last three matches for the straight red he received against Famalicao early in December.
Helio Varela will also be eligible for selection after choosing not to join Cape Verde at the Africa Cup of Nations at the last minute and should keep his place in attack alongside Luan Campos.
For Farense, Brazilian full-back Pastor will be eligible for selection again on Friday after sitting out the last match due to an accumulation of yellow cards in the first half of the season.
Ze Luis is set for an extended spell on the sideline owing to a broken collarbone, and he will be joined on the treatment table by long-term absentee John Jairo Velasquez.
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Silvestre; Alemao, Pedrao, Relvas; Ventura, Carlinhos, Dener, Costa; Campos, Varela, Guga
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Velho; Pastor, Silva, Muscat, Talocha; Falcao, Isidoro; Belloumi, Mattheus, Matias; Duarte
We say: Portimonense 1-1 SC Farense
Portimonense are in desperate need of a good result here to lift their spirits after a poor end to the year, but that will not be an easy feat against a Farense side that have been impressive upon their return to the top flight. This looks like a very even match on paper, and we feel there will be nothing to split these sides at the full-time whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
