An important game takes place at the bottom of the Primeira Liga table on Sunday, as 11th-placed Rio Ave host SC Farense, who sit 14th.

After two consecutive losses, the home side now sit just three points above the bottom three, while Farense have recently dragged themselves out of the relegation zone thanks to an upturn in form.

Match preview

Rio Ave come into this game having lost their last two Primeira Liga matches, which has seen them drop into the battle for survival.

Last time out, Miguel Cardoso's side fell to a 2-0 defeat away at Benfica, as goals from Haris Seferovic and Pizzi sealed all three points for the 39-time champions.

That followed a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to 16th-placed Famalicao, as Manuel Ugarte scored the only goal of the game after Nelson Monte was sent off for Rio Ave.

As a result, Os Rioavistas now sit just three points ahead of Famalicao in the relegation playoff place, and four points above the automatic relegation zone.

That is a notable regression on last season, when they finished in fifth spot with an impressive tally of 55 points from 34 matches.

This season's struggles have largely been down to their weak attacking record, with only one side in the top flight netting fewer than the 16 goals they have scored this campaign.

However, their situation would undoubtedly change with a victory on Sunday, and Cardoso will be hoping for a reaction from his players in order to move away from the bottom three and claw themselves back up the table.

That could be a real challenge though, as they host a Farense side with some renewed confidence, coming into this game without a loss in their last four league outings.

The Farense hierarchy dismissed former manager Sergio Vieira at the beginning of February with the side at the foot of the table, replacing him with Jorge Costa.

Costa has taken charge of six games so far since his appointment, losing just one of those and picking up a commendable tally of seven points.

That has seen them move off the foot of the table and up to 14th place, although Os Leoes de Faro do still sit just one point above the automatic drop zone, meaning they still have a long way to go in their survival bid.

Last time out, Costa's men secured a third consecutive draw, as they travelled to Famalicao with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Before that, Farense secured an impressive point when they held Benfica to a goalless draw at the Estadio de Sao Luis.

Costa will be hopeful of another positive result in this game, which could see them move further away from the bottom three as they look to avoid relegation immediately back to the second tier after winning promotion last campaign.

Team News

Rio Ave will be without forward Andre Pereira, who remains out with a ligament rupture.

He is joined on the sidelines by midfielder Nikola Jambor, who is yet to feature since the turn of the year due to injury issues.

However, they will be boosted by the return of Nelson Monte, who served a suspension last time out for the red card shown against Famalicao.

Gelson Dala is expected to lead the line again here, although the Angolan forward has struggled in front of goal this season, netting just two goals in 19 appearances.

Farense will be without centre-back Andre Pinto, after he was shown a red card in the goalless draw with Famalicao.

They also face another huge loss, as key midfielder Ryan Gauld picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last time out, having recorded seven goals and four assists in league action this season.

In his absence, Nikola Stojiljkovic could come into the side to join Pedro Henrique in attack.

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Kieszek; Monte, Borevkovic, Santos, Savio; Augusto, Pele, Geraldes; Mane, Dala, Camacho

SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Defendi; Tavares, Mancha, Scheid, Nunes; Oudrhiri, Lucca; Lica, Mansilla; Stojiljkovic, Henrique

We say: Rio Ave 1-0 SC Farense

While recent form points to a Farense victory in this game, the loss of their talisman Gauld could have a huge negative impact on Os Leoes de Faro.

That combined with the loss of a key centre-back should tip the game in the favour of the hosts, as they look to secure an important victory to move back up the league table.

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