Preview: Boavista vs. SC Farense - prediction, team news, lineups

The Leoes de Faro, who are unbeaten in their last three league outings, will look to pick up a third consecutive victory over the home side and move into the top half of the standings.

Match preview

Boavista failed to arrest their slump in form in the Primeira Liga on Monday when they suffered a somewhat disappointing 2-0 defeat against Rio Ave at the Estadio dos Arcos.

Despite seeing the bulk of the ball possession, the visitors failed to create any real scoring chance as Fabio Ronaldo and Emmanuel Boateng scored in either half to hand the Vilacondenses all three points.

Petit's men have now failed to taste victory in each of their last five Primeira Liga outings, losing three and claiming two draws since September's 4-1 victory over Chaves.

Having picked up 13 points from their opening five matches, Boavista's drop-off in form has been owing to their defensive frailties as they have conceded 11 goals in their last five matches and are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

For all their recent struggles, Os Axadrezados are currently eighth in the Primeira Liga standings with 15 points from 10 matches, two points and one place above Sunday's visitors.

Elsewhere, Farense returned to winning ways on Tuesday as they picked up a 2-0 victory over rock-bottom Arouca when the sides squared off at the Estadio de Sao Luis.

Bruno Duarte and former CD Mafra midfielder Mattheus both scored from the penalty spot to hand the Leoes de Faro a first-half lead before holding firm in the second half to see out the result.

Prior to that, Farnese's hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Taca da Liga suffered a huge blow as they fell to a 4-2 defeat against Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 2.

However, Tuesday's result means Farense have now won two consecutive league matches since returning to the top flight and are unbeaten in their last three, claiming seven points from a possible nine since September's 3-2 home loss against Sporting Lisbon.

Jose Mota's men will be backing themselves to make it three wins on the bounce for the first time this season as they take on an opposing side who have lost each of the previous two encounters between the sides since November 2020.

Boavista Primeira Liga form:

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Boavista form (all competitions):

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SC Farense Primeira Liga form:

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SC Farense form (all competitions):

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Team News

Boavista will be without 31-year-old goalkeeper Cesar Dutra, who has been sidelined since February after sustaining an ACL injury.

He is on the Os Axadrezados' injury table by 22-year-old forward Pedro Malheiro, who is set to sit out his seventh consecutive game after picking up a muscle injury against Chaves on September 18.

Meanwhile, Jhon Velasquez is yet to make an appearance for Farense this year due to a severe injury and the Colombian midfielder will play no part in Sunday's game.

Cape Verde international Ze Luis missed Tuesday's game against Arouca through a slight injury and is also a major doubt for the Leoes de Faro.

With his strike in the aforementioned games, Duarte now has three goals in six league starts this season and we expect the Brazilian forward to spearhead the visitors' attack once again.

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Goncalves; Agra, Awaziem, Abascal, Onyemaechi; Makouta, Perez, Reisinho; Watai, Bozenik, Morais

SC Farense possible starting lineup:

Velho; Pastor, Silva, Muscat, Talocha; Falcao; Belloumi, Goncalves, Mattheus, Matias; Duarte

We say: Boavista 1-1 SC Farense

After a slow start to their return to the top flight, Farense appear to have hit their stride in the last few weeks and will be looking to make it three league wins on the trot. In stark contrast, Boavista are on a free-fall after kicking off the season in fine fashion and we see them dropping more points this weekend.

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