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

Famalicao welcome SC Farense to the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Saturday in a crucial game at the bottom of the Primeira Liga table.

The sides currently sit level on points, one point ahead of basement side Maritimo, but they will both be looking to build on positive recent results, with the hosts winning their last match while Farense have gone three games without a defeat in league action.

Match preview

Famalicao secured a crucial win last time out, defeating ninth-placed Rio Ave 1-0 away from home.

Midfielder Manuel Ugarte scored the only goal of the game, after Nelson Monte was sent off for the hosts, to seal their fourth league win of the campaign.

That followed a 0-0 draw with fellow strugglers Belenenses, which broke a run of four consecutive league losses for Silas 's side.

Famalicao leapfrogged Maritimo thanks to those two recent results, moving out of the bottom two and up to the relegation playoff place, while they sit level on points with Saturday's opponents who occupy the 15th spot which guarantees safety.

Despite their renewed optimism recently, Fama have seen a large regression on last season, when they finished sixth in the top flight in their first season after promotion from the second tier.

That has largely been down to their poor defensive record this campaign, with only Tondela conceding more than the 32 they have shipped this season.

However, a win on Saturday would see them jump over their opponents and move out of the bottom three, which should offer encouragement to Silas and his players.

They take on a Farense side who will also have renewed confidence, having gone unbeaten in their last three league outings.

The run started with a 3-2 win over Nacional, when they went two goals ahead through Andre Pinto and Ryan Gauld, before they eventually got a late winner through a Pedro Mendes own goal.

They then followed that result up with a 2-2 draw away at Vitoria de Guimaraes, when Nikola Stojiljkovic scored a late equaliser from the bench, despite Jorge Costa 's side being reduced to 10 men when Alex Pinto was shown a red card.

Most recently, Costa's men held 39-time Primeira Liga champions Benfica to a goalless draw, securing another impressive point in their bid to avoid immediate relegation back down to the second tier.

Sergio Vieira, who led Os Leoes de Faro to promotion last campaign, was recently dismissed after their poor first half to the season, and Costa has started to improve their chances of survival since his appointment, picking up six points from his first five matches in charge.

Saturday's game could present their best opportunity to move away from the bottom three as a win would move them three points ahead of Famalicao, and could see them move up several places in the table given how tight the bottom half is.

Famalicao Primeira Liga form: LLLLDW

SC Farense Primeira Liga form: LDLWDD

Team News

Famalicao remain without forward Leonardo Campana, who is out with a hamstring injury.

He is joined on the sidelines by young winger Joao Neto, who has been out since the beginning of January.

Ugarte registered his first goal for his new club in the win over Rio Ave, after Famalicao smashed their transfer record to bring the young midfielder to the club in January.

However, they have somewhat struggled for goals since the departure of Ruben Lameiras to Vitoria de Guimaraes in January, with his replacement Alexandre Guedes yet to score for his new club since joining from Vitoria on loan.

Farense will be boosted by the return of Alex Pinto, who served a suspension last time out for a red card shown in the draw with Vitoria.

He could have to battle for his spot though, with young Benfica loanee Tomas Tavares also potentially returning to the squad, after he was ineligible to play against his parent club last time out.

Their attack will be led by Ryan Gauld, who has registered seven goals and four assists in league action this season from midfield.

He could support Nikola Stojiljkovic in attack this game as Pedro Henrique has struggled to deliver goals, finding the net just once in his last seven appearances.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Patrick, Queiros, Babic; Figueiras, Ugarte, Assuncao, Rodrigues, Vinagre; Tavares, Guedes

SC Farense possible starting lineup:

Defendi; Tavares, Pinto, Mancha, Nunes; Oudrhiri, Lucca; Lica, Gauld, Queta; Stojiljkovic

We say: Famalicao 1-2 SC Farense

While both sides will come into this game with some confidence, we think Farense carry more momentum, and look better set up to pick up three points here.

Since his appointment, Costa has changed their fortunes, and we expect that to continue here as they take advantage of Famalicao's weak defence, securing a narrow and crucial win.

Top tip

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