Level on 15 points in the top half of the Primeira Liga standings, Portimonense and Estoril Praia go head to head at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Sunday.

The home side are currently on a run of four consecutive defeats across all competitions and will head into the weekend seeking to end this dry spell.

Match preview

Portimonense were left empty handed once again as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Rio Ave when the sides squared off at the Estadio dos Arcos last Monday.

In a game where Fahd Moufi received an early bath, Emmanuel Boateng scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time to hand the hosts all three points.

Portimonense have now lost each of their last four outings across all competitions, including a shock 2-0 defeat against third-tier outfit Vilaverdense on October 16 which saw them crash out of the Taca de Portugal.

This slump in form has been owing to their toothless display at the attacking end of the pitch, where they have failed to find the back of the net in five of their last six outings, with September's 1-0 win over Chaves being the only exception.

Paulo Sergio's men have now picked up five wins and lost five of their 10 league matches so far to collect 15 points and sit 10th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with Chaves and Sunday's visitors in eighth place.

Elsewhere, Estoril Praia failed to make it three consecutive victories in all competitions last time out when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Braga on home turf.

Experienced midfielder Mutassim Al Musrati broke the deadlock 10 minutes after kickoff at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota before Vitinha doubled the visitors' tally with a 31st-minute effort.

Prior to that, Nelson Verissimo's side edged out Gil Vicente 1-0 on October 7 before securing their place in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal courtesy of a hard-earned 3-2 victory away to Amora FC one week later.

Estoril Praia head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last five away games across all competitions, picking up four wins and one draw since a 1-0 loss against Vitoria de Guimaraes at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques back in August.

The Canarinhos will fancy their chances of maintaining this solid away form as they now take on a Portimonense side against whom they are on a three-game winning streak against and are unbeaten in each of their last six encounters since a 2-1 loss in January 2010.

Team News

Portimonense will take to the pitch without the services of 26-year-old defender Moufi, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card against Rio Ave last time out.

In his absence, Pastor could come into the starting XI, teaming up with Mohamed Diaby and Felipe Relvas in the back three, shielding Kosuke Nakamura between the sticks.

On the injury front, Sergio will be unable to call upon the services of Portuguese midfielder Pedro Sa, who has been sidelined since coming off injured in September's game versus Famalicao.

He is joined on the club's injury table by 28-year-old Carlinhos, who continues his long road to full fitness after picking up a severe injury versus Sporting Lisbon in May.

Meanwhile, Estoril Praia will have to cope without Portuguese forward Tiago Gouveia, who is set to sit out his third consecutive game through a muscle problem.

Rodrigo Martins, who has two goals to his name this season, came off at half time against Braga in what was a tactical change and the former Mafra forward should retain his role in the starting side.

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Nakamura; Pastor, Diaby, Relvas; Ouattara, Jocu, Ewerton, Seck; Gomes, Cariello, Moreira

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Santos, Alvaro, Africo, Joaozinho; Rosier, Andrade; Siliki, Carvalho, Martins; Erison

We say: Portimonense 1-2 Estoril Praia

While Portimonense will be looking to snap their losing streak, they take on an Estoril Praia side who have been solid away from home this season. The Canarinhos have enjoyed a fine run of results in recent meetings between the sides and we are backing them to come away with all three points, albeit by the odd goal.

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

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