One of the early surprise packages in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Portimonense, travel to face Vizela on Saturday, with the hosts looking likely to be relegation candidates once again this season.

After avoiding the drop by just four points last season, Vizela find themselves near the bottom once again, while Portimonense's sensational start has them just one point off the Champions League places.

Match preview

Maximum efficiency and defensive solidity has been key for the side from Portimao so far this season.

Their last three wins have all been by one goal to nil, but in a division which is notorious for its lack of goals, taking your chance when it comes during the match is pivotal.

Their eight league goals in seven league matches have been enough to secure them 15 points so far, and they have had six different goalscorers.

Not having to rely on one or two players for goals is crucial, especially considering their main striker, Yago Cariello, has been missing since August, but they have still found a way to win games.

Taking your chance when it comes may be the determining factor here again too, as the sides played out two draws (1-1, 0-0) in their fixtures last season, so one goal could be enough to take all three points.

While Portimonense find themselves in the unprecedented heights of challenging for the top three early on, Vizela could well have been up there alongside them with a little extra luck.

Clashes against Braga and Porto saw them come so close to clinging on for a 0-0 draw before very late goals led to two defeats, but their defeat away at Benfica was the toughest to take.

Despite leading for almost an hour at the Estadio da Luz, Vizela entered stoppage time at 1-1 playing against 10 men, before a very harsh penalty saw Benfica snatch the win in the 102nd minute.

They would have been fantasy-like results though, as the real disappointment was at home to Estoril, where Milutin Osmajic missed a penalty on their way to a 1-0 defeat, but given the fact they have now played three of last season's top four, facing sides closer to their level will bring more opportunities to move themselves away from the relegation zone.

Team News

Tomas Silva will be available for selection again after serving a one-match suspension following his dismissal against Estoril three weeks ago, with Raphael Guzzo, who was taken off after half an hour against Braga, likely to be the man who makes way.

If Silva is selected in midfield, he may be partnered with veteran Claudemir, who started his first game of the season last time out after injury disrupted his pre-season preparations.

However, Silva has also been deployed as right-back this season, and his replacement against Braga, Igor Juliao, was taken off at half time.

Spaniard Carlos Isaac is another of the candidates who could be given the nod in the defence, but if Silva starts at right-back, Samu could be the one to return to the starting XI in the middle, after dropping to the bench last time out.

Nuno Moreira is also on course to return to the lineup on the left wing after being replaced by Kevin Zohi for the trip to Braga, who was subsequently taken off at the interval.

Curiously, striker Osmajic was sent home early from international duty with Montenegro last week after not showing up for a mandatory team meeting, following his half-time substitution against Bosnia-Herzegovina, but that is unlikely to affect his availability for Vizela.

After a tough day away in the capital against Sporting Lisbon, Kosuke Nakamura put in a stellar performance in the win over Chaves to guarantee his place as the number one for Portimonense for the foreseeable future.

Given the level of performance against Chaves, it is unlikely Paulo Sergio will opt to make any chances to his side for this one.

However, Cariello is edging closer to a return in attack and could be involved in the matchday squad on Saturday.

Bryan Rochez was the only member of the squad who was away on international duty, but played just 18 minutes across two games for Honduras and has returned unscathed.

Vizela possible starting lineup:
Buntic; Silva, Anderson, Fernandes, Kiki; Samu, Clademir, Mendez; Bondoso, Osmajic, Moreira

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Nakamura; Moufi, Relvas, Pedrao, Seck; Ewerton, Estrela, Luquinha; Junior, Rochez, Gomes

We say: Vizela 1-1 Portimonense

Despite having just five points so far, Vizela have been extremely unlucky against top opposition and their league position so far is not a true reflection of how well they have performed in stages.

Portimonense will be brimming with confidence though, given their current position in the standings and will come into the fixture as slight favourites.

However, neither side have reached double-figures for goals for or goals against yet after seven matches each, so we expect another low-scoring encounter which could go either way, but a draw seems most likely.

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

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