Two sides who could do well with a win go head to head in round 25 of the Primeira Liga as Vizela play host to SC Farense at the Estadio do FC Vizela on Saturday.
A run of just one win in nine games has seen the Vizelenses plunge into the relegation zone, while the visitors have picked just two points from five matches since January.
Match preview
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With just 10 games left to go before the 2023-24 Primeira Liga campaign draws to a conclusion, Vizela must turn their fortunes around sooner rather than later if they hope to preserve their three-year stint in the top flight.
The Vizelenses have won just three of their 24 league matches so far while losing 12 and claiming nine draws to collect 18 points and sit 17th in the table, level on points with rock-bottom Chaves and four points away from safety.
Having finished 11th last term, Vizela's underwhelming campaign has been owing to their lack of firepower up top as they have scored the fewest number of goals this season (23).
This was highlighted last Sunday when they settled for a goalless draw against Portimonense at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao despite having the numerical advantage following Pedrao's 69th-minute red card.
Vizela have now failed to win 13 of their last 14 league matches since early November — losing seven and claiming six draws — with a 1-0 victory over Gil Vicente at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on February 13 being the exception.
Ruben de la Barrera's men have struggled to get going at the defensive end of the pitch as they have shipped 47 goals so far, with only Chaves (54) and Portimonense (49) conceding more.
Elsewhere, Farense were left empty handed for a third consecutive games as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against title-chasing Sporting Lisbon when the sides met at the Estadio Jose Alvalade last Sunday.
Strikes from Mohamed Belloumi and Ze Luis pulled Farense level after Daniel Braganca and Victor Gyokeres put Sporting Lisbon two goals up inside the opening half-hour, but Pedro Goncalves netted in the 53rd minute to hand the Leoes a vital win in their title charge.
Jose Mota's men have now failed to taste victory in six consecutive games, picking up two just points from a possible 18 since securing a 3-1 victory over Casa Pia at the Estadio Pina Manique on January 20.
After an impressive first half of the season, this poor run of form has put Farense's push for a top-half finish in peril as they now sit 11th in the Primeira Liga table, four points above the relegation playoff spot.
Team News
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Vizela will take to the pitch without the services of Swiss goalkeeper Francesco Ruberto, who came off with a muscle injury in the game against Benfica on February 18.
Other than that, the Vizelenses head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving De la Barrera the luxury of a relatively full-strength squad to select from.
That said, we expect an unchanged Vizela back four of Orest Lebedenko, Jota Goncalves, Rodrigo Escoval and Tomas Silva for the second consecutive game, with Samuel Essende, who has 13 league goals this season, leading the attack.
Meanwhile, Farense will have to cope without the duo of Joao Talocha and Brazilian goalkeeper Luiz Felipe, who have been sidelined through muscle and tendon injuries respectively.
Bruno Duarte, who has eight goals and two assists under his belt this season, missed last week's game against Moreirense through a minor injury and is also a doubt for Saturday's clash.
Experienced midfielder Mattheus picked up a straight red card against Moreirense on February 24 and the former Sporting Lisbon man will serve the second of his three-game suspension this weekend.
Vizela possible starting lineup:
Buntic; Lebedenko, Goncalves, Escoval, Silva; Samu, Quina, Costa, Pereira, Ortiz; Essende
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Velho; Pastor, Muscat, Silva, Talys; Isidoro, Caseres; Balde, Falcao, Belloumi; Ze Luis
We say: Vizela 1-0 SC Farense
Vizela and Farense have struggled to get going of late and will both head into the weekend in search of a pick-me-up. The Vizelenses' home advantage should give them a slight edge this weekend as we are backing them to come away with 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
