Relegation-threatened Maritimo welcome Vizela to the Estadio dos Barreiros in the penultimate fixture of the Primeira Liga season on Friday night.

Maritimo are still deeply embroiled in a relegation scrap, with the playoff to avoid the drop the best they can now hope for.

Match preview

Estoril's surprise victory over Arouca on Monday night has ended any hopes Maritimo may have had of avoiding finishing outside the bottom three, and guaranteeing safety.

Jose Manuel Gomes's men now must ensure they at least give themselves a second chance by finishing in the league's relegation playoff spot.

Playing first this weekend could prove to be a big advantage for Maritimo, because their superior head-to-head record over Pacos Ferreira and a four-point buffer over Santa Clara means a win here will guarantee they avoid automatic relegation.

Being in familiar surroundings should also give them encouragement, considering Maritimo have won 18 of their 23 points this season at the Estadio dos Barreiros.

Five wins from 10 home matches in 2023 have been crucial in keeping them just above water, including victories over both Pacos and Santa Clara, with head-to-head potentially coming into play.

However, their recent form means they may still be looking over their shoulder and hoping for a favour from some other sides this weekend, as Gomes's side have picked up just one point from their last four games.

They were extremely unfortunate last weekend away to Sporting Lisbon though; having led for 75 minutes, they then conceded 85th and 93rd-minute goals to lose 2-1 in the capital.

Vizela have been fighting towards the other end of the table this season, but their faint European hopes were definitively ended last week after they only drew with Famalicao and Vitoria Guimaraes won.

A meagre two points from a possible 15 put pave to their ambitions of a first-ever campaign in Europe, after a run of four wins from five heading into mid-April made it seem a real possibility.

Surviving comfortably is still a massive positive though in just their third top-flight season, especially after their close shave with relegation last year.

Maintaining their current position in the top half will be the aim for manager Tulipa in their final two matches of the season.

Team News

Geny Catamo will return to the Maritimo squad after he was ineligible to face his parent club Sporting last weekend.

Gomes opted to start with a back five in Lisbon so could revert to a more familiar 4-3-3 formation against weaker opposition here.

Vizela have a fully fit squad to take to Funchal, so Tulipa may not make any chances from the side that drew 0-0 with Famalicao last week.

Kiko Bondoso and goalkeeper Fabijan Buntic have been ever-present this season, with the former not missing a league match since the 2020-21 season.

Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Marcelo Carne; Paulinho, Zainadine, Mosquera, Vitor Costa; Joao Afonso, Xadas, Andre Vidigal; Catamo, Riascos, Correia

Vizela possible starting lineup:
Buntic; Costa Silva, Ivanlido Fernandes, Anderson Jesus, Matheus Pereira; Samu, Ortiz, Guzzo; Kiko Bondoso, Osmajic, Nuno Moreira

We say: Maritimo 1-0 Vizela

Vizela's season is faltering with nothing left to play for, as no side in the league has picked up fewer points in the last five matchdays.

Despite poor recent form, Maritimo will look to take advantage of their opponent's drop off in results to ensure a spot in the relegation playoff.


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