Preview: Famalicao vs. Estoril Praia - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts step into this encounter with 17 points after the first 13 matches this season, while the visitors have managed just 13 points to date but are on an upward trajectory.

Match preview

Famalicao have struggled for consistency and head into this contest, having only won one of their last seven league matches, which was against Gil Vicente (3-1) back at the start of November.

Since then, they played out a 0-0 draw to Vizela, followed by a 3-0 defeat against Porto and a 1-1 draw last week away to Portimonense, who played a large portion of the second half with 10 men.

While that was not an ideal result, Joao Pedro Sousa will likely be pleased that his side managed to find a goal early in the match, which has been a rare occurrence so far this season.

The hosts have managed to find the net on just 12 occasions this term, which is the second-worst record in the league, with only Casa Pia (10) posting a worse return.

Nevertheless, Fama will gain some confidence from the fact that they were far from prolific last season as well but managed to defeat this opponent 1-0 at this venue in their last meeting.

Meanwhile, Estoril finished two spots above the bottom three last season and find themselves uncomfortably close to the drop zone again this term.

The Canaries are three points above the dotted line as it stands, but it is worth noting that before the international break, they were at the bottom of the table and looking destined for relegation.

However, following the appointment of Vasco Seabra, Estoril look like a different side and pulled off a huge upset to beat Porto on the road before smashing four past Casa Pia a week later.

Last week, they slotted another four without reply against Chaves, meaning that nine of their 13-point total has been earned in just their last four matches.

Still, Famalicao have been difficult to break down on their home patch, and it will be interesting to see if the visitors can claim another against-the-odds victory during this good run of form.

Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

L

L

W

D

L

D

Famalicao form (all competitions):

W

D

W

L

L

D

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:

L

L

W

W

L

W

Estoril Praia form (all competitions):

W

W

W

L

W

W

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Team News

Fama will be able to welcome back Zaydou Youssouf for this match after he was forced to sit out the trip to Portimonense for his red card against Porto a week earlier.

Theo Fonseca found the net in the last match, helping his side avoid going three matches without a return, and he should continue in attack with Chiquinho and Jhonder Cadiz.

Jordan Holsgrove will be unavailable for selection here due to an accumulation of yellow cards which should allow Alex Soares to return in the middle of the park.

Erick Cabaco has been training following a muscle injury, but this match may have come a week or two too early to see him make the starting lineup.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Nathan, Otavio, De Haas, Moura; Assuncao, Topic; Chiquinho, Sa, Fonseca; Cadiz

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Carne; Parra, Vital, Alvaro; Gomes, Soares, Fernandes, Araujo; Guitane, Marques; Cassiano

We say: Famalicao 2-2 Estoril Praia

With a new manager at the helm, Estoril look like a side transformed and are playing free-flowing, attacking football that their opponents have struggled to contend with. Famalicao, though, are fairly solid defensively and have won the last three at this venue against this opponent. This should be an entertaining watch, but we say these sides will end level at the final whistle.

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