Preview: Boavista vs. Moreirense - prediction, team news, lineups

Boavista will be looking to escape the Primeira Liga drop zone once again on Friday, when they welcome Moreirense to the Estadio do Bessa.

The hosts dropped back into the bottom two recently, having picked up just one point from their last three matches, while Moreirense will be hoping to extend their league unbeaten run to four matches.

Match preview

© Reuters

Despite dragging themselves off the foot of the Primeira Liga table with a 2-1 win over Portimonense in January, As Panteras have fallen back into the relegation zone.

That was down to two consecutive league losses, with Jesualdo Ferreira 's side falling to defeats at the hands of fellow strugglers in Gil Vicente and Nacional.

However, their most recent result was much more encouraging in comparison, when they drew 2-2 with second-placed Porto.

Boavista led 2-0, thanks to goals from Jackson Porozo and Alberth Elis in the first half, but the defending champions managed to salvage a point, with a Mehdi Taremi goal followed by a late Sergio Oliveira penalty.

Although that means Ferreira's side have only picked up one point from their last three matches, they will take positives from the last game, which saw them match one of the top flight's best sides.

As a result, they now sit just one point behind Gil Vicente in the relegation playoff place, and only two points adrift of automatic safety.

However, the Portuguese manager will be concerned by As Panteras' defensive record, with no team in the league conceding more than the 32 goals they have shipped from 17 games.

Meanwhile, their total of two league wins is fewer than any other side in the division this season, and they face another tough task on Friday, as they welcome Moreirense.

The visitors moved up to seventh spot in the top flight last time out, thanks to an impressive 1-1 draw at home to Benfica.

Haris Seferovic put As Aguias ahead after 25 minutes, before Yan levelled the game with a penalty before half time, scoring in his third consecutive game.

That result followed two consecutive wins for Vasco Seabra 's side, firstly beating Famalicao 2-0 away from home, before they won 2-1 away at Farense, thanks to a Yan goal and a Rafael Martins penalty.

As a result, Os Verde e Brancos are on track to match or improve on last season's eighth-placed finish, currently sitting three points ahead of Rio Ave in ninth, and with a favourable fixture on Friday at the Estadio do Bessa.

Seabra will be hoping that his side can record a third win from four matches, which could see them move further away from the sides below them, and cement their place in the top half of the Primeira Liga.

Boavista Primeira Liga form: LLWLLD

Moreirense Primeira Liga form: WDLWWD

Team News

Boavista should have a full squad to pick from for this game, other than midfielder Miguel Reisinho, who remains out with a ligament rupture picked up in November, although Chidozie Awaziem was also absent from the squad for the match against Porto.

That could mean that young defender Jackson Porozo keeps his place in the back line, after he scored in the draw with the defending champions.

They will be boosted by the return of experienced midfielder Javi Garcia, who served a suspension last time out for a red card picked up against Nacional.

Ferreira is expected to maintain his trust in Angel Gomes to lead the Boavista line, despite the English attacker failing to find the net in his last 11 Primeira Liga appearances.

Meanwhile, Moreirense's front line will feature Yan, who will come into this game with plenty of confidence, having scored in each of their last three matches.

The away side are affected by several ongoing injuries, with midfielder Pedro Nuno and winger Felipe Pires both continuing spells on the sidelines, while Sori Mane and Pedro Amador both remain out with long-term injuries too.

Seabra did add to his squad in the January transfer window though, bringing in defender Abdoulaye Ba and experienced midfielder David Simao, adding experience and depth to his side.

He also added attacker Rafael Martins, who has found the net twice for Moreirense in five league matches since his arrival in Portugal.

Experienced defender Steven Vitoria will return to the squad for this game, having served a suspension last time out, but he will have to battle for his place with youngster Nahuel Ferraresi, who impressed in the draw with Benfica in Vitoria's absence.

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Jardim; Cannon, Devenish, Rami, Porozo, Mangas; Paulinho, Garcia, Santos; Gomes, Elis

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Pasinato; Ba, Rosic, Vitoria; D'Alberto, Pacheco, Soares, Conte; Yan, Martins, Rodrigues

We say: Boavista 1-2 Moreirense

While this will not be an easy game for Seabra's men, we think they will have enough to see off Boavista, and extend their good run of league form with a narrow win at the Estadio do Bessa.

We expect Yan to continue his good run of form with another goal here, firing his side back to winning ways.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.