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

Paulo Sergio's men will head into the weekend seeking to get one over the hosts having failed to win any of the last six meetings between the sides since July 2020.

Match preview

Boavista continue to struggle for form in the Primeira Liga as they were held to a late 1-1 draw by Chaves when the sides squared off on Monday.

After holding the lead for most of the game courtesy of Yusupha Njie's 27th-minute opener, the hosts failed to see out the game as Jo Batista grabbed an 89th-minute equaliser shortly after coming off the bench.

Boavista have now failed to win six of their last seven matches across all competitions, losing three and picking up three draws since the start of December.

They have also managed just one win in their last eight Primeira Liga matches, which came in their first game of the year when they saw off Gil Vicente 1-0 in front of their home fans on January 8.

This underwhelming run has seen Petit's side drop to 11th place in the league standings, one point and one place above Sunday's visitors and level on 21 points with Rio Ave and Vizela.

Elsewhere, Portimonense were left empty handed once again as they suffered a 4-0 thrashing against Arouca at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca last time out.

In a game where Moustapha Seck received his marching orders, goals from Alan Ruiz, Benji Michel and a brace from Oday Dabbagh saw the hosts cruise to their seventh win of the season.

Sergio's men head into the weekend winless in each of their last five matches across all competitions, managing one draw and losing four since a 2-0 Taca da Liga victory over Covilha on November 27.

While Portimonense will set out to stop the rot this weekend, they have lost all but one of their last eight away matches since the start of September, with a 2-1 victory at Gil Vicente on November 4 being the only exception.

Boavista Primeira Liga form:

D

L

L

W

L

D

Boavista form (all competitions):

W

D

L

W

L

D

Portimonense Primeira Liga form:

W

L

L

L

D

L

Portimonense form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

D

L

Team News

Boavista will be without the services of Portuguese defender Filipe Ferreira, who has missed each of the last 10 matches through a muscle injury.

Gaius Makouta will also sit out this weekend's contest through a one-match ban after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Chaves last time out.

Meanwhile, Portimonense will be without left-back Seck, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card against Arouca last Friday.

In his absence, Brazilian defender Wagner Leonardo could come into the fold, teaming up with Felipe Relvas, Pedrao and skipper Fahd Moufi in the back four.

On the injury front, Sergio will be unable to call upon Brazilian midfielder Carlinhos, who has been out of action since last May through a severe knee problem.

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Bracali; Sasso, Abascal, Onyemaechi; Malheiro, Perez, Watai, Camara, Mangas; Njie, Lourenco

Portimonense possible starting lineup:

Nakamura; Moufi, Pedrao, Relvas, Leonardo; Moreira, Diaby, Klismahn; Luquinha, Rochez, Ferreira

We say: Boavista 2-0 Portimonense

Following Monday's draw, Boavista are now unbeaten in six of their last seven home matches in the Primeira Liga and head into the weekend as firm favourites to come away with the desired results. Petit's men face an out-of-sorts Portimonense side who have struggled for results on the road this season and we are backing them to claim all three points in this one.

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