Maritimo will be looking to snap their three-game winless run and kick-start their race against the drop when they play host to Boavista in round 26 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.

Os Axadrezado, on the other hand, journey to the Estadio do Maritimo looking to get one over the hosts, having failed to win any of their last seven league meetings since May 2019.

Match preview

Maritimo slipped into the automatic relegation places in their last outing before the international break as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Casa Pia at the Estadio Pina Manique.

In a game where Rene Santos received his marching orders, Brazilian striker Felippe Cardoso turned in an eye-catching performance as he netted a brace to fire Os Gansosto a second consecutive home win.

Maritimo have now suffered three consecutive defeats and lost all but one of their last eight matches since the start of February — with a 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Santa Clara on February 25 being the exception.

Jose Manuel Gomes's men have picked up four wins, four draws and lost 17 of their 25 league matches so far to collect 16 points and sit 17th in the Primeira Liga table, six points off safety.

Having finished 10th last season, Maritimo's underwhelming campaign has been owing to their lack of sting in attack, where they hold the division's joint-poorest record, having scored just 17 goals so far.

O Maior das Ilhas have also failed to score in 10 of their 25 league matches heading into the weekend, while they have kept just four clean sheets and conceded a league-high 47 goals.

Boavista, on the other hand, failed to move into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings last time out when they suffered a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Famalicao.

Following a drab first half at the Estadio do Bessa, Ivan Jaime and Mihai Alexandru Dobre scored inside the opening 15 minutes of the second period to put the Vila Nova in a commanding lead before Robert Bozenik pulled one back in the 73rd minute.

Petit's men were previously unbeaten on home turf in 2023, picking up two wins and three draws in their five outings since November's 4-1 loss against Porto just before the 2022 World Cup.

However, Boavista are winless in seven of their last eight away matches across all competitions, picking up two draws and losing five, including a shock 2-1 loss against Segunda Liga side Academico Viseu FC in the Taca da Liga quarter-finals on December 20.

With 30 points from 25 games, Os Axadrezado are currently 12th in the Primeira Liga standings, but could potentially move level on points with eighth-placed Rio Ave should they claim all three points this weekend.

Team News

Maritimo will take to the pitch without Brazilian defender Santos, who will serve the first of his three-match suspension after picking up a straight red against Casa Pia last time out.

On the injury front, O Maior das Ilhas remain without 22-year-old forward Geny Catamo, who has been sidelined since October through a severe muscle problem.

Portuguese midfielder Diogo Mendes will also play no part in this weekend's clash after suffering an ankle injury in December's games against Sporting Lisbon.

Meanwhile, Boavista will have to cope without former Watford forward Adalberto Penaranda, who continues his long road to full fitness after suffering a hamstring injury.

Bozenik staked his claim for a place in the XI with his fine cameo against Famalicao and the Feyenoord loanee could lead the visitors' attack alongside Yusupha Njie, who has netted 10 goals so far this season.

Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Carne; Winck, Junior, Costa, Brito; Beltrame, Soares; Xadas, Moreno, Pereira; Riascos

Boavista possible starting lineup:
Bracali; Cannon, Abascal, Onyemaechi; Malheiro, Perez, Watai, Makouta, Lourenco; Bozenik, Njie

We say: Maritimo 2-1 Boavista

While Maritimo have struggled for results, they will draw inspiration from their solid record against Boavista as they are unbeaten in their last seven league encounters between the sides. Petit's side have run out of steam in recent weeks and we are backing the hosts to scrap a narrow win on Sunday.

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

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