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

The Alvinegros, on the other hand, head into the weekend on a run of six consecutive away defeats across all competitions and will be looking to pick up their first away win since the turn of the year.

Match preview

Chaves failed to move into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of title-chasing Porto when the sides squared off last Saturday.

After falling behind to first-half strikes from Danny Namaso and Otavio, Steven Vitoria pulled one back for the hosts in the 53rd minute, before Spanish forward Toni Martinez restored the Dragoes two-goal advantage in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Chaves head into the weekend without a win in four consecutive matches, claiming one point from a possible 12, while they have picked up just one victory in their last 13 outings across all competitions since November.

Vítor Campelos's men have now picked up six wins, eight draws and lost nine of their 23 matches so far to collect 26 points and sit 13th in the Primeira Liga table, level on points with Saturday's visitors.

With a third of the league campaign left to play for, Chaves currently face no threat of a relegation dogfight as they sit 10 points above the drop zone and could move level on points with ninth-placed Vizela with all three points this weekend.

Portimonense, on the other hand, failed to get the better of Sporting Lisbon in their 11th straight attempt as they fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Ruben Amorim's side last Saturday.

The hosts went into the game seeking to pick up their first win over Sporting since a 4-2 victory in October 2018, but they were simply outplayed and outclassed at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao as Paulinho's 77th-minute strike gave the visitors a deserved victory.

Having kicked off the season with four wins in their opening five league matches, Portimonense have now managed just four wins in the subsequent 18, while losing 13 of their 23 matches so far.

The Alvinegros' struggles has been owing to their lack of sting in attack, where they currently hold the division's fourth-worst record, scoring just 18 goals so far, while they have failed to find the target in six of their nine matches since the turn of the year.

Paulo Sergio's side are also on a run of six consecutive away defeats across all competitions, while losing 10 of their last 11 games on the road since the start of September — with a 2-1 win at Gil Vicente on November 4 being the exception.

While Portimonense will be looking to end this poor run, Saturday's game sees them journey to the Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira, where they have picked up just one win in their last six visits, while losing three and claiming two draws since August 2009.

Chaves Primeira Liga form:

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W

D

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Portimonense Primeira Liga form:

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W

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Team News

Chaves will be without the duo of Jo Batista and Joao Mendes, who are both suspended after picking up red cards against Porto last weekend.

On the injury front, the hosts will be without several key players down the spine of the team, as the likes of Paulo Vitor (knee), Joao Correia (muscle) and Nwankwo Obioro (muscle), who are all recuperating from injuries.

They are joined on the club's injury table by Sidy Sarr, who is set to sit out his 10th consecutive game after coming off with a severe injury against Mafra last December.

Meanwhile, Portimonense will be without defender Goncalo Costa, who has missed each of the last eight matches after picking a muscle injury in January's game against Benfica.

Brazilian forward Carlinhos will also play no part in Saturday's contest as he continues his long journey to full fitness after picking up an ACL injury last May.

Chaves possible starting lineup:

Moura; Monte, Vitoria, Ponck, Langa; Teixeira, Machado; Euller, Guimaraes, Abass; Juninho

Portimonense possible starting lineup:

Nakamura; Ouattara, Relvas, Pedrao, Lucas; Seck, Mauricio, Park; Ventura, Junior, Sa

We say: Chaves 2-1 Portimonense

Chaves and Portimonense head into the weekend level on points in the league table and we expect a cagey affair in this one. The Alvinegros have struggled for results away from home this season and we are tipping Campelos's side to claim a slender victory in front of their home fans.

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