Famalicaovs.Boavista

Fama have beaten possible title contenders Benfica and Estrela without conceding and are favourites to notch a third consecutive success against their Porto-based visitors.

Match preview

Last season ended with Famalicao notching just two wins from their final five top-flight matches, but the previous term's eighth-placed side have notched back-to-back victories to start 2024-25, recently scoring three at Estrela.

That victory followed a creditable triumph over Benfica, and Armando Evangelista's men are undoubted favourites to stay unblemished after Saturday's match with Boavista.

The upshot of their winning start without conceding sees Famalicenses joint-top in the Primeira Liga and on the same tally as defending champions title Sporting and expected contenders Porto.

Porto and Vitoria are the only other clubs to come through rounds one and two without conceding, and the hosts are fancied to notch another against an opponent that have netted once in 180 minutes of league football in 24-25.

Fama may have won just once on their turf in the final four home games of the previous season (two losses) but Evangelista's men look to build on the victory over Benfica in gameweek one, keen to secure consecutive home wins for the first time since September 2023 and stay joint leaders in an embryonic table.

The form table suggests that Boavista are underdogs to claim a positive result this weekend, with Os Axadrezados' goalscoring form a concern after two rounds.

After beating Casa Pia in their league opener, the Chequered Ones failed to take advantage of Braga's Europa League exertions on Sunday, firing blanks in the 1-0 loss.

Further bothersome was their inability to fashion many presentable goalscoring opportunities in front of their supporters, underscored by their expected goals (xG) of 0.63 at full-time.

Cristiano Bacci's men hope for a more positive final-third showing against the high-flying Famalicao, aiming to outdo the previous weekend's underwhelming performance and notch a second victory after three rounds.

However, they must overcome their four-match winless run in this fixture (two losses) to add three points to their current tally.

Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

W

W

Boavista Primeira Liga form:

W

L

Team News

Evangelista could be forced into a change at right-back if Lucas Calegari does not shake off the issue that forced him off against Estrela last weekend.

That could be Fama's only alteration, even if Mario Gonzalez is pushing for a start after scoring off the bench in round two's win.

Augusto Dabo, an unused substitute in both Boavista games this term, is reportedly doubtful for Saturday's match against Famalicao.

Despite firing blanks against Braga, Miguel Reisinho played commendably in the 1-0 loss and the match-winner in round one aims to inspire a second victory of the season for the Chequered Ones.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Zobin; Pinheiro, Mihaj, De Haas, Moura; Topic, Youssouf; Sorriso, Sa, Rochinha; Aranda

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Goncalves; Gomes, Abascal, Onyemaechi, Ferreira; Camara; Silva, Reisinho, Vukotic, Agra; Bozenik

We say: Famalicao 2-1 Boavista

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