Boavista are not out of relegation danger heading into Saturday's Primeira Liga clash against Vizela at Estadio do Bessa on the final day.
The Panthers cannot end in the bottom two positions but aim to avoid dropping into the relegation playoff spot against an opponent who have already lost their top-flight status.
Match preview
Boavista are in relegation form, having failed to win a game in the Portuguese top flight since a 1-0 triumph over Moreirense at the start of March.
However, the Panthers have managed to avoid slipping into the dreaded positions despite winning only three matches from 18 in 2024, losing nine times.
The latest defeat was hurtful for Ricardo Paiva's men, who led Porto 1-0 until the game's final minutes before the home side turned it around with goals from Ze Pedro and a 98th-minute winner from Mehdi Taremi.
The upshot of the previous round's result leaves As Panteras one point clear of Estrela Amadora (30) and two ahead of Portimonense (29), who occupy the relegation playoff spot.
Boavista will not slip into third bottom if they match or better the results of the two immediate sides below them in the standings, and they will back themselves for a positive outcome against a side with nothing riding on Saturday's match.
Vizela, for their part, have shown the ambition to play for pride despite having their demotion from the top division sealed, with last week's 4-0 victory over fourth-bottom Estrela underlining their desire to exit with their heads held high.
Four different goalscorers — Samu, Alberto Soro, Matheus Pereira and Hugo Oliveira — ended Vizelenses' seven-match winless sequence (six defeats), and they kept a league clean sheet for the first time in nine top-flight fixtures.
A repeat will see Vizela claim consecutive league victories for the first time since September 2023 when they beat Estoril (2-1) and Chaves (4-1), but it remains to be seen if that materialises.
Ruben de la Barrera's men have been defeated in four straight road games, failing to notch maximum points on their travels since mid-February — a 1-0 triumph over Gil Vicente — pointing to disappointment on the final day.
Against a Boavista side that have gone four without losing on their turf, the Braga-based club may brace themselves up for disappointment in their final game in the Primeira Liga.
Team News
Pedro Malheiro was sent off for receiving two yellows in last week's defeat at Porto, thus ruling out the Boavista right-back on the final day.
Absent because of injury for the home team are Cesar, Bruno Onyemaechi, Augusto Dabo, and Luis Pires.
While Domingos Quina is touch-and-go for this weekend's clash, Sava Petrov is not anticipated to feature in any capacity.
Anderson will not add to his 29 appearances for Vizela this term after picking up his fifth booking of the season in round 33, meaning he serves a one-match ban.
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Goncalves; Ferreira, Sasso, Awaziem, Santos; Perez, Camara, Reisinho; Lourenco, Bozenik, Agra
Vizela possible starting lineup:
Buntic; Silva, Goncalves, Escoval, Lebedenko; Samu, Nascimento; Soro, Vosta, Lacava; Essende
We say: Boavista 1-1 Vizela
While Boavista may be backed to secure maximum points against relegated opposition, the hosts drawing three on the trot on home turf and their inability to score consistently on home turf point to a possible stalemate. Four of the last five meetings between both sides have ended without a winner, and another tie could be in the offing this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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