Preview: Chaves vs. Maritimo - prediction, team news, lineups

Having suffered a 2-1 defeat in August's reverse fixture, O Maior das Ilhas will head into the weekend looking to get one over the hosts and move out of the automatic relegation places.

Match preview

Chaves failed to snap their losing streak against Vitoria de Guimaraes as they suffered a 2-1 defeat when the sides squared off last Monday.

In a nail-biting contest at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques Tiago Silva and Allison Safira scored either side of Issah Abass late equaliser to hand the hosts a third consecutive victory over Chaves.

Chaves have now failed to win any of their last eight matches across all competitions, a run which saw them crash out of the Taca da Liga in the group stages after picking up one point from a possible nine in Group A.

However, Vitor Campelos's men return home, where they are unbeaten in six of their seven matches this season, with a 2-0 loss against Famalicao in their final outing of 2022 being the exception.

Chaves have picked up six wins, seven draws and lost six of their 18 league matches to collect 22 points and sit 10th in the Primeira Liga table, but could rise up to eighth place with all three points this weekend.

Elsewhere, Maritimo were denied a third consecutive league win on home soil last time out as they were beaten 2-0 by league heavyweights Porto at the Estadio do Maritimo.

In a heated contest where both sides finished with 10 men, the Brazilian duo of Wendell and Wenderson Galeno scored quick-fire second-half goals to hand the Dragoes their 13th win of the season.

Prior to that, Jose Manuel Gomes's side were unbeaten in four consecutive home matches in the league, including successive victories over Sporting Lisbon and Estoril Praia in their first two home games of the year.

While Maritimo will be looking to return to winning ways and steer clear of the danger zone, they have struggled for results away from home, where they currently hold the league's joint second-worst record with just one win and five points from nine matches.

With 13 points from 18 matches, O Maior das Ilhas are currently bottom but one in the Primeira Liga standings, one point behind 16th-placed Santa Clara in the relegation playoff spot.

Next up is the stern challenge of going up against a Chaves side who have won five of the last six meetings between the teams since July 2017, with a 2-1 loss in August 2018 being the exemption.

Chaves Primeira Liga form:

W

L

D

D

D

L

Chaves form (all competitions):

L

L

D

D

D

L

Maritimo Primeira Liga form:

L

D

W

L

W

L

Maritimo form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

W

L

Team News

Chaves will be without several key players down the spine of the team as the likes of Hector Hernandez, Rodrigo Nascimento and 20-year-old defender Edu, who are all recuperating from injuries.

Twenty-six-year-old defender Joao Correia has missed each of the last three matches through a muscle problem and will play no part in this weekend's encounter.

Maritimo will take to the pitch without Spanish youngster Pablo Moreno, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card against Porto last time out.

In his absence, Venezuelan striker Jesus Ramirez should come into the XI, teaming up with 28-year-old Brayan Riascos in the front two.

On the injury, Gomes will be unable to call upon the services of Geny Catamo and Diogo Mendes, who are currently recuperating from muscle and ankle injuries respectively.

Chaves possible starting lineup:

Fagundes; Sylla, Ponck, Monte, Langa; Teixeira, Obiorah; Mendes, Singh, Juninho

Maritimo possible starting lineup:

Makaridze; Winck, Mosquera, Santos, Brito; Xadas, Beltrame, Soares, Pereira; Ramirez, Riascos

We say: Chaves 1-1 Maritimo

Chaves and Maritimo have struggled for form in recent weeks and will head into Sunday in search of a morale-boosting result. However, we predict they will both take a cautious approach to the game and settle for a share of the spoils.

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