Two sides in need of a pick-me-up in the Primeira Liga go head to head as Estoril Praia play host Boavista at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Thursday.

Both sides head into the weekend separated by just one point and two places in the bottom half of the standings, so this game should make for an exciting watch.

Match preview

Estoril Praia's Taca da Liga campaign came to an end in the group stages where they finished rock-bottom in Group H after picking up two points from their four matches.

After picking up two draws and losing one of their opening three matches, Nelson Verissimo's men fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Famalicao in their group finale on December 15.

Estoril Praia now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they are currently on a four-game winless run, claiming one draw and losing three matches since October's 1-0 victory at Gil Vicente.

The Canarinhos head into Thursday without a win in nine games on the trot across all competitions, a run which saw them crash out of the Taca de Portugal courtesy of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Benfica on November 9.

With 16 points from 13 matches, Estoril Praia are currently 12th in the Primeira Liga table, one point and one place below Thursday's visitors.

Boavista, on the other hand, were denied a place in the semi-finals of the Taca da Liga last time out when they fell to a disappointing 2-1 loss against Segunda Liga side Academico Viseu FC.

Following a drab first half at the Estadio Municipal do Fontelo, Christophe Nduwarugira and Rafael Fonseca found the back of the net to hand the hosts a two-goal advantage before Nigerian midfielder Bruno Onyemaechi grabbed a 96th-minute consolation.

Prior to that, Os Axadrezados enjoyed an unbeaten run in the group stages, where they picked up two wins and one draw from their three matches to collect seven points and finish top of Group F.

Petit's men now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they are on a six-game winless run, picking up two draws and losing four since a 2-1 home victory over Sporting Lisbon on September 17.

Boavista will fancy their chances of ending this poor run as they take on an Estoril Praia side who are winless in each of the last six meetings between the teams, losing three and managing three draws since a 1-0 victory in April 2016.

Team News

Estriol Praia will take to the pitch without the services of Brazilian forward Erison, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card in the cup game against Famalicao last time.

In his absence, Rodrigo Martins, who has two league goals this season, will push for a return to the XI, teaming up with Gilson Tavares and Joao Carvalho in the final third.

On the injury front, Verissimo will be unable to call upon the services of Tiago Gouveia, who has missed the last three matches after coming off with a muscle injury back in November.

Meanwhile, Portuguese youngster Martim Tavares suffered a ligament injury in the game against Vizela on October 30 and the 19-year-old is out of contention for the trip to the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota.

Rodrigo Abascal registered one goal and one assist to inspire Os Axadrezados to a 3-2 victory over Estoril Praia in their most recent meeting back in February and we expect the Uruguayan to retain his role at the heart of the defence, alongside centre-back partner Reggie Cannon.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Santos, Mexer, Vital; Araujo, Rosier, Ndiaye, Siliki; Tavares, Carvalho, Martins

Boavista possible starting lineup:
Bracali; Malheiro, Abascal, Cannon, Onyemaechi; Camara, Makouta, Vukotic; Agra, Njie, Watai

We say: Estoril Praia 1-1 Boavista

Off the back of their League Cup exits, Estoril Praia and Boavista will head into the midweek match in search of a morale-boosting result. Petit's side have enjoyed the better of this fixture, but we predict that the spoils will be shared between the two evenly-matched sides on Thursday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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