Round two of the Portuguese Primeira Liga comes to an end on Monday when Pacos de Ferreira play host to Portimonense at the Capital do Movel Municipal Stadium.
The visiting side will head into the game seeking to get one over the Pacenses, having failed to win any of the last six meetings between the sides since May 2018.
Match preview
Pacos de Ferreira were condemned to a first opening-day defeat in three years as they were beaten 1-0 by Gil Vicente when the sides squared off last weekend.
Following an uneventful first half at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, 26-year-old forward Ali Alipour made his mark off the bench as he grabbed the all-important goal with just five minutes left to play.
This followed a decent pre-season campaign, where Cesar Peixoto's side picked up two wins and two draws from their opening four friendlies before suffering defeats against Trofense and Vizela respectively.
Pacos de Ferreira have now lost three Primeira Liga games on the bounce, while managing just two draws from their last six outings since a 2-0 home victory over Maritimo on April 9.
Like the hosts, Portimonense were denied a dream start to the new Portuguese top-flight campaign as they fell to a slender 1-0 defeat at the hands of Boavista last Sunday.
Despite seeing over 60% of the ball possession and controlling proceedings for most of the game, the Alvinegros were guilty of a toothless display in attack as Yusupha Njie's ninth-minute strike was enough to hand the visitors an opening-day victory.
Prior to that, Paulo Sergio's men picked up one draw and lost three of their first four pre-season games before claiming wins over Covilha and Estrela in their final two outings in preparation for their 2022-23 domestic assignment.
While Portimonense will aim to get their campaign up and running on Monday, standing in their way is an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in their last six attempts, losing twice and picking up four draws since a 3-1 victory in May 2018.
The Portimao outfit also head into the game on a run of just one win from their last nine Primeira Liga away games in 2022, picking up three draws and losing five since the turn of the year.
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Team News
Pacos de Ferreira will take to the pitch without the defensive duo of Jorge Silva and Joao Vigario, who are currently recuperating from knee and thigh injuries respectively.
They are joined on the club's injury table by 27-year-old forward Dor Jan, who continues his long road to full fitness after picking up an ACL injury last November.
French prodigy N'Dri Philippe Koffi recently moved to the Capital do Movel Municipal Stadium for his second consecutive loan stint and the 20-year-old could be handed his first appearance of the season.
As for Portimonense, Sergio will be unable to call upon the services of Brazilian midfielder Carlinhos, who came off with a muscle injury in May's game against Sporting Lisbon.
Frenchman Mohamed Diaby, who made 13 appearances for Pacos de Ferreira last season, recently signed for the Portimao outfit and could make his debut this weekend.
Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:
Almeida; Delgado, Ganchas, Lima, Antunes; Pires, Carlos; Uilton, Gaitan, Thomas; Sales
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Moufi, Relvas, Rocha, Seck; Jocu; Sa, Junior, Moreira, Oliveira; Caju
We say: Pacos de Ferreira 1-1 Portimonense
Monday's game sees two sides who have struggled to get going square off and we anticipate a cagey affair at the Capital do Movel Municipal Stadium. Pacos de Ferreira and Portimonense head into the game in similar form and we predict that the spoils will be shared in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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