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

The hosts head into this encounter in sixth place in the league standings and with 22 points to their names after 13 matches, while the visitors are on 15 points and sit in 11th place.

Match preview

Moreirense have made a dream start to life back in the top flight as they come into this match three points behind the top five and five clear of seventh-placed Famalicao.

The Green and Whites played out a 1-1 draw away to Gil Vicente last week, taking their impressive recent record to eight league matches without defeat, including five wins and four draws.

Up to this point of the season, the hosts have lost just three matches; however, those defeats were against three of the top four sides in the league, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Sporting Braga.

Paulo Alves's side are also unbeaten in their last four matches at home and boast the third-best defensive record this season, with just 11 goals conceded in 13 matches, which is fewer than league leaders Sporting have shed this term.

Meanwhile, Portimonense have also made positive strides forward since last season, when they finished 15th and were the first side above the relegation playoff spot.

They will head into this match five points clear of the drop, and with the mid-table still being quite compact, a win here could see them move into the top half if other results go their way.

However, Os Alvinegros have not been at their best since the international break, as they suffered a 1-0 loss to Casa Pia on the road before drawing 1-1 to Famalicao at home last weekend.

In addition, Paulo Sergio's side have lost three away matches on the trot ahead of this one, including a 6-1 thumping at the hands of Braga last month.

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:

D

W

W

W

D

D

Moreirense form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

D

D

Portimonense Primeira Liga form:

L

W

L

W

L

D

Portimonense form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

L

D

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Team News

Moreirense have just one absentee for this match in Dinis Pinto, who is still out with a head injury, which should see Fabiano Silva continue at right-back.

Andre Luis got his fifth goal of the season against Gil Vicente and should almost certainly lead the line again, with Alan occupying the number 10 role behind him.

Ronie Carrillo was shown a straight red last week against Famalicao, and that followed Midana Cassama's dismissal against Casa Pia a fortnight ago, which means both will miss this, as well as next week's match against Sporting.

Alemao will also be suspended for this match after crossing the yellow card threshold last week, which likely means that Moustapha Seck will step into the defensive trio with Pedrao and Filipe Relvas.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Kewin; Amador, Marcelo, Maracas, Fabiano; Franco, Ofori; Madson, Alan, Kodisang; Luis

Portimonense possible starting lineup:

Silvestre; Pedrao, Seck, Relvas; Guga, Dener, Carlinhos, Coaya; Jasper, Varela; Paulinho

We say: Moreirense 1-0 Portimonense

Moreirense have been excellent in their first season back in the top flight and are carrying all the momentum into this one, having last tasted defeat in mid-September. The hosts are likely to prioritise keeping a clean sheet here, and we feel they will go on to edge this one by a single goal.

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