Boavistavs.AVS

Os Axadrezados, meanwhile, hold the worst home record in the league this season, having managed just two points from their six matches so far and will aim to secure their first league victory in front of their home supporters.

Match preview

Boavista failed to stop the rot last Saturday when they suffered a 3-2 defeat against league leaders Sporting Lisbon when the two teams squared off at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Os Axadrezados found themselves trailing twice after Viktor Gyokeres and Fransisco Trincao hit the target to put Sporting in front, and while Robert Bozenik and Bruno Onyemaechi scored on each occasion to level matters, Trincao added his second of the game in the 66th minute to hand the hosts all three points.

Boavista have now failed to taste victory in four back-to-back games, losing twice and claiming two draws, and have managed just one win in their last 14 matches — a run which has seen them crash out of the Taca da Portugal courtesy of a 1-0 loss against Segunda Liga outfit Varzim.

Cristiano Bacci's men have lost seven of their 14 Primeira Liga games this season while picking up two wins and five draws to collect 11 points and sit 16th in the league standings, level on points with 17th-placed Arouca and one behind Saturday's visitors in 13th-place.

While Boavista will be looking to find their feet and move out of the bottom three this weekend, results at home offer little optimism as they have failed to win any of their last 10 Primeira Liga matches, losing four and claiming six draws since a 1-0 victory over Moreirense on March 9.

On the other hand, Primeira Liga newcomers AVS left it late against Benfica when the two teams squared off last Sunday when they fought back from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw at the Estadio do CD das Aves.

Zeki Amdouni opened the scoring in the 17th minute to put Benfica on course to another routine victory but Christian Castro struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time to force a share of the spoils.

While head coach Daniel Ramos will feel delighted with his sides taking a point against a stacked and star-studded Benfica side, they have now failed to taste victory in any of their last eight games across all competitions since beating OS Sandinenses in the Taca de Portugal on October 20.

This weekend's visitors have also gone nine matches without a win in the Primeira Liga, losing four and picking up five draws since Vasco Lopes' 72nd-minute effort inspired them to a 1-0 victory over Rio Ave back in September.

Having gained promotion from the second tier last term, AVS's major struggles have come on the road, where they are one of just five sides yet to taste victory in the league this season, picking up three draws and losing three of their six away matches so far.

Boavista Primeira Liga form:

L

W

L

D

D

L

AVS Primeira Liga form:

L

L

D

L

D

D

AVS form (all competitions):

L

D

L

L

D

D

Team News

Boavista remain without the services of Portuguese goalkeeper Joao Goncalves, who has been out of action since coming off with a severe knee injury against Estoril Praia on August 31.

He is joined on the club's injury table by 20-year-old Morales Pires, who also continues his long road to full fitness after suffering a knee injury back in November 2023.

As for AVS, Ramos will be unable to call upon the services of Giorgi Aburjania and 20-year-old goalkeeper Lucas Moura, who are currently recuperating from thigh and shoulder injuries respectively.

Cape Verde striker Ze Luis was forced off injured shortly before half time in the game against Benfica last time out and the 33-year-old is a major doubt for this weekend's matchup.

Should he fail to shake off the injury, Nene, who has two goals in seven league appearances, should lead the visitors' attack, alongside John Mercado and former Chelsea man Lucas Piazon.

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Lineup Cesar; Gomes, Ferreira, Abascal, Dabo; Agra, Reisinho, Perez,Onyemaechi; Bozenik, Silva

AVS possible starting lineup:

Bertelli; Fonseca, Devenish, Rodriguez; Roux, Kiki, Silva, Mendonca; Mercado, Piazon, Nene

We say: Boavista 2-0 AVS

With just one point separating Boavista and AVS at the wrong end of the table, we anticipate a cagey affair at the Estadio do Bessa as both sides look to get the better of each other and begin their surge from the danger zone.

While Bacci's men have been disappointing at home this season, we are backing them to see off the newcomers, who are without a win in their last eight outings.

Written by

Joshua Ojele

Previews by email