Famalicao face Liga Portugal 2 outfit Belenenses in the quarter-finals of the Taca de Portugal on Wednesday evening.
Joao Pedro Sousa's side progressed to the last eight with a victory over Leixoes on January 10, while O Belem joined their upcoming hosts at the same stage of the competition with a 4-1 win against Vilaverdense on the following day.
Match preview
Famalicao continue their determined pursuit of lifting their first Taca de Portugal trophy in the club's 91-year history at the Estadio Municipal 22 de Junho this week.
The hosts approach the contest undefeated in the historic head-to-head chronicles between the two sides, dating back to December 2000.
On top of their unbeaten record against Wednesday evening's visitors to the Estadio Municipal 22 de Junho, Famalicao have also been victorious in their last two meetings.
The Famalicenses advanced to the last 16 after a 4-1 victory over Dumiense in the fourth round in November last year but were made to work for their place in the last eight, as Sousa's side needed an extra-time goal from Jhonder Cadiz, who was later sent off, to edge past lower-league opposition Leixoes.
Belenenses sit in 16th position in the second tier of Portuguese football, but have the chance to make their first-ever appearance in the Taca de Portugal semi-finals since being formed as B-SAD in June 2018.
Nandinho's side were relegated from the Primeira Liga last season after finishing bottom of the standings.
O Belem progressed to the fifth round of the cup by defeating Machico 4-1 on November 10, partly due to a hat-trick of goals scored within the opening 23 minutes of the contest.
Belenenses' convincing victory was followed up by a 4-1 success in the round of 16 on January 11 at the Campo Cruz Do Reguengo over Vilaverdense.
If the visitors are to stand any chance of progressing into the semi-finals, Nandinho's side will have to accomplish something that the O Belem have failed to do in their previous two footballing excursions to the Estadio Municipal 22 de Junho, and that will be to finally beat Luiz Junior in the Famalicao goal.
Team News
Famalicao boss Joao Pedro Sousa could look to make alterations to his starting XI after witnessing his side's 4-1 Primeira Liga defeat to title challengers Braga on Sunday.
Despite firing a blank in front of goal over the weekend, Venezuelan forward Jhonder Cadiz is expected to lead the Famalicenses' line in midweek.
On the back of his consolation goal against Artur Jorge's side, Spezia loanee Leandro Sanca could join Gustavo Assuncao on Sousa's starting team sheet for Wednesday evening's encounter.
After witnessing his side's 2-1 victory at Porto B 2-1 on Saturday, it is unlikely that Belenenses manager Nandinho will look to make many changes to his 11.
Following his five goals throughout the 2022-23 Liga Portugal 2 campaign, Edgar Pacheco will spearhead the visitors' threat in the final third alongside Joao Marcos.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Penetra, Mihaj, Riccieli, Lima; Colombatto, Assuncao; Jaime, Rodrigues, Sanca; Cadiz
Belenenses possible starting lineup:
Tabuaco; Jojo, Coxixo, Custodio, Calila; Oliveira, Tavares, Boni, Sambu; Pacheco, Marcos
We say: Famalicao 3-1 Belenenses
Despite sitting only six points above the relegation playoff position in the Primeira Liga standings, we predict that Sousa's side will put their modest league form to one side on Wednesday evening to seal their place in the semi-finals of the Taca de Portugal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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