Preview: Casa Pia vs. Portimonense - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts suffered a 1-0 defeat at Chaves last time out, while the visitors were thrashed 4-1 by Braga, so both sides will be eager to return to winning ways.

Match preview

There was a time earlier in the season when newly-promoted Casa Pia looked set to challenge for a European spot, having kicked off their comeback campaign with a run of eight victories in 14 games.

Since then, however, the Geese have managed to pick up just three wins in 16 Primeira Liga outings, suffering nine defeats along the way, and they now find themselves 10th in the standings as a result.

Of course, after gaining promotion to the top flight for the first time in 83 years, Casa Pia would have been more than happy with a mid-table finish at the start of the season, but there is now a sense that Filipe Martins's men have missed an opportunity.

Casa Pia head into Friday's clash on a run of four defeats in five matches, with losses to Vizela and Sporting preceding 1-0 defeats to Braga and Chaves, who leapfrogged the Geese in the table last weekend.

Having managed to win only two of their previous 12 league games - suffering seven defeats along the way - Casa Pia will be desperate to stop the rot and finish the campaign on a positive note.

Portimonense ended a five-game losing streak with a draw against Rio Ave last month before picking up back-to-back victories, claiming 1-0 wins over Estoril Praia and Gil Vicente to steer clear of the relegation zone.

After taking seven points from a possible nine, the Alvinegros appeared to have secured their safety, but last weekend's 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Braga means that Paulo Sergio's side remain 11 points outside the bottom three with four games left to play.

Although it is unlikely that Portimonense will finish the season in the drop zone, Sergio's men cannot afford to rest on their laurels, especially when you look at their away record.

Indeed, Portimonense have lost 11 of their last 13 away league outings, scoring a measly six goals in the process, with eight defeats coming in their previous nine matches on the road.

The visitors will secure their top-flight status for another season if they claim all three points on Friday, but their confidence will be low after taking three points from a possible 27 on their travels since the turn of the year.

Casa Pia Primeira Liga form:

W

L

L

D

L

L

Portimonense Primeira Liga form:

L

L

D

W

W

L

Team News

With Leo Natel out for the season due to a broken leg and striker Kiki joining the Brazilian forward on the sidelines, Casa Pia have limited options in the attacking department.

As a result, Felippe Cardoso is expected to lead the line for the hosts, with Saviour Godwin and Yuki Soma occupying the wide forward roles.

Beni Mukendi and Neto will operate in central midfield, while Duplexe Tchamba, Fernando Varela and Joao Nunes look set to continue at centre-back.

For the visitors, Rui Gomes replaced Lucas Ventura midway through the first half last time out, so the former will likely take the spot of the latter in the starting XI on Friday.

With six goals to his name, top scorer Welinton Junior will continue alongside Yony Gonzalez up front, while Moustapha Seck and Fahd Moufi are expected to occupy the wing-back spots.

Casa Pia possible starting lineup:

Batista; Nunes, Varela, Bangou; Soares, Neto, Mukendi, Lelo; Soma, Cardoso, Godwin

Portimonense possible starting lineup:

Nakamura; Park, Henrique, Relvas; Moufi, Carlinhos, Gomes, Mauricio, Seck; Gonzalez, Junior

We say: Casa Pia 1-1 Portimonense

While Casa Pia have suffered defeat in four of their last five matches, Portimonense have lost eight of their previous nine on the road, so we expect Friday's clash to be a cagey encounter as both sides aim to avoid defeat.

Previews by email