Preview: Tondela vs. Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

With just two points separating the sides currently in the lower echelons of the table, this game has all the makings of a proper contest as they will both be seeking to get their campaign up and running by claiming all three points.

Match preview

Tondela were left empty-handed once again as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Braga when they locked horns at the Estadio Municipal de Braga last Monday.

The game was sparked into life late in the second half when Iuri Medeiros and Ricardo Horta scored in a three-minute spell to put CDT Auriverde two goals up before Renat Dadasov pulled one back in the 86th minute, but Medeirosa netted his second of the game four minutes later to make certain of the result.

With three points from the opening six games, Pako Ayestaran's men are currently rooted to the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with Belenenses, Famalicao and Moreirense.

Their early struggles has been owing to their frailties in defence, when they have managed just one clean sheet to date and conceded the third-most goals in the division.

Famalicao, similarly, failed to find their feet in the Portuguese top flight as they were held to a bore draw at home against Maritimo last Saturday.

Despite controlling proceedings for most of the game, Ivo Vieira's side failed to break the deadlock due to their wasteful display in attack coupled with an inspired Paulo Victor in goal, who made several saves to keep the scores level.

However, the Famalicenses claimed a morale-boosting victory in the Taca da Liga four days later when they thrashed second tier Penafiel 5-0 in their Group B opener.

Famalicao have now returned to the league where they are one of three sides yet to taste victory to date, picking up three wins and three draws from the first six games.

Sunday's visitors will be seeking to end their winless start to the season against an opposing side who they failed to defeat in both home and away fixtures last season.

However, to achieve that, an improvement at the attacking end of the pitch has to be made as they have scored the third-fewest goals amongst all 18 teams in the division so far.

Famalicao follow the game with a home game against Vitoria de Guimaraes, while Tondela take a trip to the Estadio Nacional do Jamor to square off against Belenenses on October 3.

Tondela Primeira Liga form:

Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

Famalicao form (all competitions):

Team News

Ayestaran will be unable to call upon the services of newly-signed defender Modibo Sagnan after the Frenchman came off with a muscle injury against Braga last time out.

In his absence, Portuguese centre-back Ricardo Alves could come into the fold to pair with Manu at the heart of the defence for Tondela.

Jota Goncalves failed to shake off a knee injury in time for the game over the weekend and the 21-year-old remains a major doubt for the CDT Auriverde.

Meanwhile, Famalicao remain without Heriberto Tavares, who continues his spell on the sidelines after picking up a muscle injury back in May.

Vieira fielded his strongest side in the midweek cup win over Penafiel and following his side's dominant performance, the Portuguese manager could name an unchanged starting XI.

That means we could see the quartet of Simon Banza, Bruno Rodrigues, Ivan Jamie and Ivo Rodrigues handle business at the attacking end of the pitch for the Famalicenses.

Tondela possible starting lineup:

Niasse; Sagnan, Hernando, Khacef; Almeida, Undabarrena, Augusto, Pedro, Borges; Boselli, Dos Anjos

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Figueiras, Batubinsika, Riccieli, Lima; Pickel, Tavares; I Rodrigues, Jaime, B Rodrigues; Banza

We say: Tondela X-Y Famalicao

Prediction justification text here