Preview: Rio Ave vs. Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

Famalicao will be looking to drag themselves off the foot of the Primeira Liga table on Sunday when they travel to the Estadio dos Arcos to take on Rio Ave.

The hosts will be in search of a third consecutive league win here, while Famalicao drew last time out, ending a four-match losing run in league action.

Match preview

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Rio Ave recorded an impressive 3-1 victory away at sixth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out.

Miguel Cardoso 's men led 2-0 thanks to first-half goals from Carlos Mane and Rafael Camacho, but Ricardo Quaresma pulled one back for the hosts before Gelson Dala immediately restored Rio Ave's two-goal lead, securing their second consecutive league win.

That followed a 2-1 victory at home to Tondela, when Jhon Murillo put the visitors ahead, before Mane and Camacho both scored in the second half to seal a comeback win.

Cardoso's side have moved back up to ninth spot in the Primeira Liga table as a result, restoring their place in the top half after they had previously gone four games without a league win.

It is Rio Ave's attack that has been disappointing this campaign, with only two sides in the division scoring fewer than their 16 goals from 19 league games.

Cardoso will see this game as a good opportunity to improve that attacking record and extend their winning run to three, as they take on one of the league's worst defensive sides in Famalicao.

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The visitors ended a four-game winless run last time out when they drew 0-0 at home to Belenenses.

Silas picked up his first point in his third game in charge of the club, having previously suffered 2-0 losses to Benfica and Moreirense.

He will be somewhat concerned by the fact that his side have failed to score in the three games since his appointment, although they do have one more goal in the league than Sunday's opponents, having recorded 17 from 19 Primeira Liga games.

It is Famalicao's defensive record which has caused their drop to the bottom of the league, with no side conceding more than the 32 goals they have shipped this season.

However, they are by no means condemned to relegation at this stage, with Silas's side sitting just one point behind Gil Vicente in the relegation playoff place, and two points adrift of automatic safety, meaning one win could vastly change their situation.

But they take on a Rio Ave side who are high on confidence, and will be looking to continue their rise up the division with another win on Sunday.

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form: DLLDWW

Famalicao Primeira Liga form: WLLLLD

Team News

Rio Ave will be without forward Andre Pereira, who remains out with a ligament rupture, joining Nikola Jambor on the sidelines, with the midfielder unavailable due to an injury picked up in January.

Experienced left-back Fabio Coentrao was also absent from the squad last time out, and he could miss this game too.

However, they will have the boost of a returning player, as centre-back Toni Borevkovic is available after serving a suspension in the win over Vitoria.

Their line will be led by Gelson Dala, who scored his second league goal of the season in the win over Vitoria.

He will be supported by the wide threat of Carlos Mane and Rafael Camacho, with both players scoring in Rio Ave's last two matches.

Famalicao will be without forward Leonardo Campana, who remains out with a hamstring injury.

However, important midfielder Gustavo Assuncao could be available for this game, having made the bench for the recent draw with Belenenses following a spell on the sidelines with an injury.

The visitors have struggled for goals since the departure of star man Ruben Lameiras in January, with his replacement Alexandre Guedes failing to hit the ground running since his arrival.

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Kieszek; Pinto, Santos, Borevkovic, Savio; Augusto, Pele, Geraldes; Mane, Dala, Camacho

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Patrick, Ricielli, Queiros, Vinagre; Ugarte, P Rodrigues; Dias, I Rodrigues, Tavares; Anderson

We say: Rio Ave 1-0 Famalicao

With both sides struggling for goals this campaign, we see this being a game of few goals, with the hosts possibly gaining the edge thanks to their improved recent form, combined with the weak defence of Famalicao.

While the basement side will be boosted in confidence after they kept a clean sheet and earned a point last time out, we see them falling just short in this game.

Top tip

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