Portimonense and Maritimo take to the pitch for the first time this year on Sunday when they square off at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao in round 17 of the Primeira Liga.
The Portimao-based side head into the game on a six-game unbeaten run against the visitors and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling and move into the Conference League qualification places.
Match preview
Portimonense saw their three-game unbeaten run come to an end last Wednesday when they fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
In a game where Pedro Sa saw red, after Matheus Reis scored an own goal to put the visitors in front heading into half time, Paulinho put on a clinic as he netted a second-half hat-trick to turn the game around, before Lucas Possignolo pulled one back in the 92nd minute.
Prior to that, Paulo Sergio's men secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Taca de Portugal when they saw off a resilient Famalicao side on penalties following a 1-1 draw in extra time on December 21.
However, Portimonense will be delighted by their performance this season, as they are just one point below the Conference League qualification spot after winning seven, drawing three and losing six of their 16 games to collect 24 points and sit in sixth place in the Primeira Liga standings.
Meanwhile, Maritimo responded to their humbling defeat against Benfica in the best way possible as they secured a 2-0 win over Vizela at the Estadio do Maritimo last time out.
Following an uneventful first half, the game sparked into life in the second half as Joel Tagueu calmly converted from 12 yards to break the deadlock nine minutes after the interval before Rafik Guitane made sure of the result in the 72nd minute.
This followed a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of a rampant Benfica side on December 19, when Rafa Silva scored one and assisted four goals to end their three-game unbeaten run.
After a horrid start to the season, Vasco Seabra's side have turned a corner in recent weeks, claiming three wins and one draw from their last five games, and this has seen them rise to ninth place on the log, level on 17 points with Pacos de Ferreira.
Maritimo's impressive turnaround has been in no small part owing to their fine display at the attacking end of the pitch, where they have scored 10 goals in their last five games.
While they will look to keep the ball rolling and strengthen their position in the top half of the table, next up is an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in their previous six attempts, losing three and claiming three draws since 2019.
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Team News
Sergio remains unable to call upon the services of Moroccan full-back Achraf Lazaar, who has been out of action since sustaining a severe injury back in September's game against Santa Clara.
Twenty-eight-year-old midfielder Pedro Sa will play no part in Sunday's game as he is currently suspended after receiving his marching orders against Sporting Lisbon last time out.
However, Portimonense will be boosted by the return of Carlinhos, who missed the aforementioned game through suspension after crossing the yellow card threshold against Arouca two weeks back.
Meanwhile, there have been multiple COVID-19 cases in the Maritimo squad with Edgar Costa, Diogo Mendes and Stefano Beltrame reported to have contracted the virus.
On the injury front, the visitors will take to the pitch without the services of Portuguese midfielder Xadas, who sustained a knee injury in November's game against Tondela.
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Possignolo, Pedrao, Rocha; Cande, Fernandes, Relvas, Luquinha; Morte, Ewerton, Fabricio
Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Victor; China, Leo, Junior, Winck; Henrique, Vidigal, Pelagio; Ricardinho, Alipour, Tageue
We say: Portimonense 2-1 Maritimo
Both sides have enjoyed a decent campaign so far and find themselves in the top half of the table after the first half of the season. While Maritimo will be looking to end their poor run against the hosts, they have struggled on the road this season, claiming one win from eight games. We predict a thrilling contest with Portimonense grinding out a narrow win in this one.
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