Preview: Maritimo vs. Chaves - prediction, team news, lineups

O Maior das Ilhas were on the receiving end of a 5-1 thumping by Porto last weekend, while the newly-promoted side fell to a slender 1-0 defeat against Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Match preview

Maritimo would have hoped for a better start to their 2022-23 Primeira Liga campaign as they suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of reigning champions Porto last Saturday.

In a one-sided affair at the Estadio do Dragao, goals from Evanilson, Ivan Marcano, Toni Martinez and a brace from star striker Mehdi Taremi set the Dragoes off to a perfect title defence before Claudio Winck pulled one back with an 88th-minute strike.

Prior to that, Maritimo enjoyed a superb pre-season campaign, playing out a 1-1 draw with Penafiel in their first friendly outing on July 20 before picking up three wins from their final three games.

O Maior das Ilhas have now failed to taste victory in any of their last five Primeira Liga outings, picking up two draws and losing three since April's 4-0 victory over Boavista.

Next up for Vasco Seabra's men is an opposing side who are unbeaten in six of the last eight meetings between the sides across all competitions, claiming four wins and two draws since 2016.

Chaves, on the other hand, secured promotion to the Portuguese top flight last season as they claimed a 2-1 aggregate victory over Moreirense in the promotion playoffs after finishing third in the Segunda Liga.

However, they were denied a dream start to their top-flight campaign as they fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Vitoria de Guimaraes when the sides met last weekend.

In a game where Alfa Semedo and Indio Matheus received their marching orders, Andre Silva's 45th-minute strike was enough to separate the sides at the Municipal Stadium Engineer Manuel Teixeira Branco.

Chaves head into Monday winless in all but one of their last five competitive outings — picking up one draw and losing three games — with a 2-0 playoff first-leg win over Moreirense back in May being the exception.

Maritimo Primeira Liga form:

Maritimo form (all competitions):

Chaves Primeira Liga form:

Chaves form (all competitions):

Team News

Maritimo will take to the pitch without the service of 20-year-old goalkeeper Pedro Teixeira, who continues his long journey to full fitness after coming off injured last December.

He is joined on O Maior das Ilhas' injury table by newly-signed Brazilian midfielder Joao Afonso, who has been ruled out through a muscle problem.

Jesus Ramirez came off the bench to put on a fine cameo on his debut last weekend and the former Atletico Morelia forward will push for his first starting appearance of the season.

Meanwhile, Chaves will be without former AEL Limassol defender Euler, who continues to await his debut as he is currently recuperating from an ankle injury.

Portuguese goalkeeper Rodrigo Moura is out of contention for the visitors after coming off with an injury back in May, while midfielder Nwankwo Obiora is set to sit out his third consecutive game across all competitions through injury.

Maritimo possible starting lineup:

Silva; Winck, Costa, Junior, Andrade; Mendes, Sousa; Xadas, Beltrame, Vidigal; Tagueu

Chaves possible starting lineup:

Fagundes; Correia, Vitoria, Monte, Langa; Pina, Teixeira, Mendes; Batxi, Hernandez, Benny

We say: Maritimo 2-1 Chaves

While Chaves will look to get their top-flight campaign up and running, next up is a superior and more experienced Maritimo side who have won their last three home games in all competitions. With that said, we predict a cagey contest with the hosts coming away with a slender victory.

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