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

The hosts are currently languishing in the relegation playoff spot, while Farense head into the weekend in 10th place in the Primeira Liga table.

Match preview

After winning the second tier to return to the top flight at the first time of asking, Moreirense have found wins hard to come by in the opening stages of the 2023-24 season.

Moreirense picked up just one point from their first two games, before they beat Chaves 2-1 to claim their one and only win of the season so far.

Since that result, they have suffered back-to-back defeats, including a heavy 3-0 loss in their away meeting with Sporting Lisbon last weekend.

While they will be disappointed to lose three of their opening five matches, Moreirense may be the first to point out that those defeats took place against teams that finished inside the top four last season — Porto, Braga and Sporting.

Although Saturday's contest certainly presents the hosts with a promising opportunity to claim their first home win of the campaign, they have already experienced a frustrating outing against Farense this season after losing on penalties when the two sides met in the Taca da Liga in July.

Farense, meanwhile, have made a steady start on their return to the Primeira Liga after spending two seasons in the second tier.

They are two points better off than their fellow newly-promoted side despite beginning the campaign with consecutive defeats to Casa Pia and Porto.

The away side managed to get their campaign up and running on matchday three with an emphatic 5-0 win over Chaves, before they were quickly brought down to earth by a narrow 1-0 loss in their away meeting with Famalicao.

However, Farense bounced back to record a notable 3-1 victory over Champions League participants Braga courtesy of goals from Bruno Duarte, Rui Costa and Mohamed Belloumi.

Having claimed successive home victories, Farense will look to transfer that impressive form onto their travels after they failed to take anything from their opening two away league matches.

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:

L

D

W

L

L

Moreirense form (all competitions):

L

L

D

W

L

L

SC Farense Primeira Liga form:

L

L

W

L

W

SC Farense form (all competitions):

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Team News

The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Dinis Pinto, Alhassane Sylla and Rafael Santos, who are ruled out with injury issues.

Maracas is also missing for the home side, with the defender set to serve a one-match suspension after being sent off against Sporting

Kobamelo Kodisang, who scored 11 goals in the second tier last season, could be brought into the starting lineup for Saturday's home meeting.

As for Farense, Malta international Zach Muscat will return to the matchday squad after serving a one-match suspension.

However, he may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Arthur Jorge likely to retain his place in the centre of defence alongside Goncalo Silva.

After opening his account for the club against Braga, Duarte will lead the Farense line for a second straight game.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Kewin; Fabiano, Marcelo, Frimpong, Amador; Franco, Ofori; Kodisang, Alan, Camacho; Luis

SC Farense possible starting lineup:

Velho; Pastor, Jorge, Silva, Talocha; Falcao, Isidoro; Belloumi, Mattheus, Costa; Duarte

We say: Moreirense 2-2 SC Farense

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in July's Taca da Liga fixture before Farense won the subsequent penalty shootout, and while the visitors will want to secure an outright victory this time around, we think that they will settle for a point after losing their opening two away league matches.

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