Two sides at the wrong end of the Portuguese Primeira Liga table go head to head when Famalicao play host to Moreirense at the Municipal Stadium Famalicao on Sunday.
The Vila Nova are currently second but one in the league standings after picking up 17 points so far, while Os verdes e brancos are two points and two places above.
Match preview
Famalicao failed to move out of the relegation places last Sunday when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of reigning champions Sporting Lisbon.
In an action-packed contest at the Estadio Jose Alvalade where Pablo Sarabia and Matheus Reis scored in either half to hand the Leoes all three points, the visitors were guilty of a lethargic display in attack as they failed to convert several clear-cut chances.
The Vila Nova have now failed to win any of their most recent four games — losing two and claiming two draws — while they have managed just one win from their last 11 across all competitions.
With 17 points from 21 games, Famalicao are currently 17th in the Primeira Liga standings, five points above rock-bottom Belenenses, but could leapfrog Sunday's visitors and move out of the drop zone with all three points on Sunday.
While Rui Pedro Silva's side will look to end this dry spell, they have struggled to get going on home turf this season, where they have picked up the joint-fewest points so far within just eight from 10 games.
Moreirense, on the other hand, returned to winning ways in style as they comfortably saw off 10-man Belenenses 4-1 at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas last time out.
After Abel Camara cancelled out Yan Santos's 18th-minute opener, Pablo Santos restored the hosts' lead on the stroke of half time before Andre Luis and Derik Lacerda scored second-half goals to cap off a brilliant team display.
Prior to that, Moreirense were on a run of three games without a win, playing out a 1-1 draw with Benfica on January 15 before falling to 2-0 defeats at the hands of Santa Clara and Braga respectively in their subsequent two games.
Os verdes e brancos are currently hovering just outside the relegation zone as they currently occupy 15th place in the league standings, one point above Arouca in the relegation playoff spot.
While manager Ricardo Sa Pinto will hope the win over O Belem last time out can serve as a springboard for a fine run of form, Moreirense will feel confident of coming away with the desired result this weekend as they take on an opposing side who they are unbeaten against in each of the last six meetings between the sides since 2015.
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Team News
Famalicao will take to the pitch without the services of Portuguese forward Heriberto Tavares, who has been sidelined since sustaining an injury in December's game against Benfica.
He is joined on the Vila Nova injury table by 30-year-old Diogo Figueira, who has also been out of action since December, when he picked up a muscle injury against Gil Vicente.
Meanwhile, on the back of his side's dominant display in the 4-1 victory over Belenenses last time out, Sa Pinto could name an unchanged starting lineup on Sunday.
Should that be the case, we could see the trio of Luis, Santos and Rafael Martins spearheading the attack for the third game running.
At the back, Moreirense should line up with a three-man defence of Pablo Santos, Artur Jorge and skipper Lazar Rosic, shielding Mateus Pasinato between the sticks.
Lacerda put on a fine cameo against O Belem, where he came off the bench to cap off a sensational team performance with his first goal of the season and we expect the Brazilian forward to push for his second start of the season.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Nascimento, Penetra, Riccieli, Batubinsika; Pepe, Pickel, I Rodrigues, Marin; B Rodrigues; Banza
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Rosic, Santos, Jorge; Mota, Camara, Mirallas, Amador; Santos, Luis, Martins
We say: Famalicao 1-2 Moreirense
Sunday's game sees two sides who have endured underwhelming campaigns in the Primeira Liga go toe to toe and we expect them to take the game to each other in search of a much-needed win. However, we predict the visitors will carry on the momentum from their win over Belenenses and come away with all three points.
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