Preview: Pacos de Ferreira vs. Chaves - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are aiming to pick up their first victory of the Primeira Liga season, while the visitors are seeking to end a run of four consecutive matches across all competitions without a victory.

Match preview

Pacos de Ferreira's search for their maiden victory of the Primeira Liga campaign continues after they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sporting Lisbon in their final game of 2022.

Strikes from Pedro Porro, Nuno Santos and Paulinho ensured that the Pacenses remain the only team in the division yet to taste victory this season, after picking up two draws and losing 12 of their 14 matches.

Prior to that defeat, Pacos de Ferreira suffered a group-stage exit in the Taca da Liga as they picked up two draws and lost one of their three matches to finish third in Group D, which resulted in Jose Mota leaving his role as manager by mutual consent.

The Castores' last victory came on July 20 when they saw off Santa Clara 1-0 in a pre-season friendly, and they are currently rooted to the bottom of the league table, 11 points adrift of safety.

Pacos de Ferreira's underwhelming campaign has been owing to their lack of bite at the attacking end of the pitch, where they currently hold the league's worst record with just seven goals scored, while shipping 29 in their 14 matches.

Elsewhere, Chaves ended their 2022 in similar fashion to their opponents on Sunday, suffering a 2-0 defeat at home to Famalicao.

Jhonder Cadiz opened the scoring after 18 minutes, before Ivan Jamie's strike in the second half sealed all three points for Joao Pedro Sousa's side.

Prior to that defeat, the Flavienses were condemned to an early cup exit as they picked up just one point from their three Taca da Liga games during the World Cup break to finish rock-bottom in Group A.

Despite the disappointment, Vitor Campelos's side can now focus primarily on their league campaign, having picked up five wins, four draws and lost five of their 14 matches this season to collect 19 points and sit ninth in the league standings, level on points with Rio Ave, Portimonense and Arouca.

Pacos de Ferreira Primeira Liga form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

Pacos de Ferreira form (all competitions):

L

L

D

D

L

L

Chaves Primeira Liga form:

W

W

L

D

W

L

Chaves form (all competitions):

D

W

D

L

L

L

Team News

The hosts will be without long-term absentee Joao Vigario, who is yet to feature this season after sustaining an ACL injury in August 2021.

Erick Ferigra returned from suspension last time out against Sporting Lisbon, and went straight back into the starting XI, so he could retain his place here.

Luiz Carlos missed the clash with the Leoes due to injury and could remain on the treatment table for this one.

Meanwhile, Chaves will take to the pitch once again without the services of Hector Hernandez, who suffered a knee injury in the cup game against Porto on December 8.

However, 25-year-old defender Bruno Langa recovered from a hamstring injury to feature against Famalicao, so he could retain his place in the defence this weekend.

Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:

Almeida; Silva, Ferigra, Lima; Delgado, Pires, Holsgrove, Antunes; Thomas, Djalo; Gaitan

Chaves possible starting lineup:

Fagundes; Correia, Monte, Vitoria, Langa; Mendes, Guimaraes, Teixeira; Abass, Jo, Singh

We say: Pacos de Ferreira 0-2 Chaves

The home side are in dreadful form, and we think Chaves will prolong their wait for their first taste of victory this season.

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