Seeking to pick up a third consecutive home win in Primeira Liga, Boavista go head to head with Maritimo at the Estadio do Bessa on Sunday.

O Maior das Ilhas head into the weekend on a run of eight defeats from their opening eight games this season and will set out to end this poor record.

Match preview

Boavista were sent crashing down to earth in the Primeira Liga as they fell to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Famalicao when the sides squared off last Sunday.

In a one-sided affair at the Ivo Rodrigues, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Zaydou Youssouf and Gustavo Assuncao all found the back of the net to sink the visitors.

Prior to that, Boavista were on a three-game winning streak, seeing off Pacos de Ferreira, Arouca and Sporting Lisbon since a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Benfiva on August 27.

Os Axadrezados have now won five and lost three of their eight games so far to collect 15 points and sit sixth in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with fifth-placed Portimonense.

While Petit's side will be looking to bounce back to winning ways, standing in their way is a Maritimo side who they have failed to defeat in the last six league meetings between the sides, losing four and picking up two draws since a 1-0 victory in May 2019.

Meanwhile, newly-appointed manager Joao Henriques has so far failed to turn Maritimo's fortunes around as the former Moreirense coach watched on as his side fell to a 2-1 home loss against Casa Pia last weekend.

In a game where Vitor Costa and Nermin Zolotic both received their matching orders, Clayton struck in the 18th minute to cancel out Bruno Xadas's opener before Leonardo Lelo completed the comeback from the penalty spot with a 71st-minute penalty.

Maritimo have now lost each of their eight games this season, while they are currently on a 12-game winless run in the Primeira Liga, picking up just two draws and losing 10 since a 4-0 victory over Boavista in April.

Consequently, O Maior das Ilhas sit rock-bottom in the league standings and their underwhelming start to the season has been in no small part owing to their defensive frailties as they hold the league's worst record with 24 goals allowed already.

With their Taca de Portugal opener against second-tier Mafra on the horizon, Maritimo will head into the weekend seeking to pick up a much-needed victory as they look to kick off their cup quests on a high.

Team News

Portuguese midfielder Miguel Reisinho remains out of contention for Boavista after the 23-year-old midfielder suffered a a severe knee injury back in August.

He is joined on the club's injury table by United States international Reggie Cannon, who missed the trip to Famalicao last weekend through injury.

Meanwhile, Maritimo will have to cope without Vitor Costa, who will serve the first of his three-match suspension for picking up a straight red card against Casa Pia last time out.

In his absence, Benfica loanee Rafael Brito should come into the fold, teaming up with Diogo Mendes, Stefano Beltrame and Claudio Winck in midfield.

On the injury front, Porto loanee Romario Baro is a doubt for O Maior das Ilhas after the 22-year-old midfielder came off injured midway through the game against Casa Pia.

Boavista possible starting lineup:
Bracali; Reis, Sasso, Abascal; Malheiro, Makouta, Perez, Onyemaechi; Lourenço, Bozenik, Gorre

Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Silva; Winck, Mosquera, Andrade, Brito; Xadas, Mendes, Afonso; Zarzana, Tagueu, Vidigal

We say: Boavista 2-1 Maritimo

Boavista will fancy their chances of quickly bouncing back from last week's disappointing result as they face a Maritimo side who have endured a dire start to the season. Petit's side have been solid on home turf this season and we predict they will make use of their home advantage once again to claim a comfortable victory.

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