Preview: Pacos de Ferreira vs. Farense - prediction, team

A poor run has seen Farense drop into the bottom two of the Primeira Liga table, while their hosts sit comfortably in fifth place despite their dip in form.

Match preview

Pacos de Ferreira suffered a disappointing defeat last time out, as they travelled to take on strugglers Boavista.

A Yusupha Njie goal put the hosts ahead early on, and Angel Gomes doubled his side's lead with a penalty on the stroke of half time, condemning Pepa's side to their ninth league defeat of the season.

Before that, Os Castores were on the wrong end of a 5-0 thrashing when they hosted Benfica, as Diogo Goncalves, Rafa Silva and Darwin Nunez all got on the scoresheet alongside a Haris Seferovic brace.

After a strong first half of the season, Pepa's side have since dipped in form, now sitting 11 points behind fourth-placed Braga, having previously pushed to break into the top four for the possibility of European qualification.

They will look to return to winning ways on Tuesday, as they host another side in a poor run of form.

Farense have seen their survival hopes get slimmer in recent weeks, after losing three consecutive games in the top flight.

In February, the board opted to dismiss manager Sergio Vieira with the side sat worryingly close to the threat of relegation, replacing the promotion-winning manager with Jorge Costa.

Costa has failed to reverse the fortunes of Os Leoes de Faro though, having picked up just two wins and 11 points from his 12 games at the helm.

They suffered a narrow defeat at home to league leaders Sporting Lisbon last time out, as a Pedro Goncalves goal in the first half was the difference between the sides.

While that result is by no means disappointing considering the league positions, it did take their losing run to three matches, while they have lost five of their last six games.

As a result, Os Leoes de Faro now find themselves in the automatic drop zone, currently sitting two points behind Maritimo in the relegation playoff place and five points adrift of automatic safety.

With only 21 points left to play for before the end of the season, Costa's men will know that they need to quickly start picking up results if they are to stand a chance of avoiding immediate relegation back down to the second tier.

The former Porto defender will feel that his side have to start with a much-needed win against a struggling Pacos de Ferreira side on Tuesday.

Pacos de Ferreira Primeira Liga form:

W

L

W

L

L

L

SC Farense Primeira Liga form:

L

L

W

L

L

L

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Team News

Pacos de Ferreira come into Tuesday's match with a clean bill of health, with no major concerns for Pepa.

They will be boosted by the return of Stephen Eustaquio, after the midfielder served a suspension last time out.

He is expected to come straight back into the starting lineup, joining Bruno Costa and Luiz Carlos in the centre of the pitch.

Luther Singh will also be hoping to return to the starting side after he was on the bench for the defeat to Boavista.

Experienced goalkeeper Beto will continue between the sticks for Farense, as Rafael Defendi remains out through injury.

Meanwhile, Madi Queta and Nikola Stojiljkovic could both remain out of contention, after they were absent from the squad last time out with injury concerns.

Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:

Jordi; Fonseca, Marcelo, Gonzaga, Rebocho; Costa, Eustaquio, Carlos; Singh, Tanque, Ferreira

SC Farense possible starting lineup:

Beto; Tavares, Cesar, Mancha, Abner; Oudrhiri, Lucca; Lica, Gauld, Aouacheria; Henrique

We say: Pacos de Ferreira 1-2 SC Farense

With both sides coming into Tuesday's game in poor runs of form, it could definitely go either way, but we see Farense snatching a win on the basis of having far more to play for.

The desperation for results in order to survive could fire Costa's men to a much-needed victory against the odds, with talisman Ryan Gauld potentially playing a key role for his side.

Top tip

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