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

The Vizelenses head into the weekend on a three-match losing streak, while the visitors have suffered defeat in each of their last four games across all competitions.

Match preview

Vizela were left empty handed once again as they suffered a disappointing 3-0 loss against Vitoria de Guimaraes at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques last Sunday.

Os Vimaranenses turned in a superb team performance as Mikel Villanueva, Andre Silva and Afonso Freitas all found the back of the net to grab a huge result in their quest for European football.

Vizela head into the weekend on a run of three straight defeats, losing to Arouca, Pacos de Ferreira and Vitoria de Guimaraes since coming from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with Boavista on April 17.

Manuel Tulipa's side, who have now lost 14 of their 31 league matches so far, are currently 11th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on 39 points with 12th-placed Rio Ave

While the Vizelenses will be looking to end this dry spell, Saturday's game pits them against an opposing side who they have failed to beat in their last four attempts, losing twice and claiming two draws since a 3-2 victory in December 2016.

Famalicao, on the other hand, were left spitting feathers last time out as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chaves after bottling their lead in the final 10 minutes.

In a cagey affair at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao, Ricceli scored an 80th-minute own goal to cancel out Pablo Felipe's opener before Joao Teixeira converted his 89th-minute penalty to complete the comeback.

Joao Pedro Sousa's men have now lost each of their last four matches across all competitions, a run which saw them crash out of the Taca de Portugal in the semi-finals courtesy of a 5-3 aggregate loss to Porto.

This poor run of form has dealt Famalicao's dreams of a first appearance in Europe a huge blow as they now sit six points behind fifth-placed Arouca in the Conference League qualification spot with three games to go.

Vizela Primeira Liga form:

W

W

D

L

L

L

Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

L

W

W

W

L

L

Famalicao form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

L

L

Team News

Vizela have struggled to perform in attack of late and Tulipa could ring a few changes to his XI, with Kevin Zohi and Friday Etim challenging striker Milutin Osmajic for the starting role.

Claudemir and Raphael Guzzo have started at the centre of the park in the last three matches, but they should expect competition from Alex Mendez, following his fine cameo against Guimaraes.

At the defensive end of the pitch, Igor Juliao, Anderson, Ivanildo Fernandes and Matheus Pereira should retain their starting roles, shielding Fabijan Buntic at the centre of the park.

Meanwhile, Famalicao will take to the pitch without the services of Portuguese forward Theo Fonseca, who is out for the season with an ACL injury.

He is joined on the Vila Nova injury table by 24-year-old Jose Luis Rodriguez, who is yet to feature this year after coming off with a knee injury last November.

Vizela possible starting lineup:

Buntic; Juliao, Anderson, Fernandes, Pereira; Claudemir, Guzzo; Etim, Samu, Bondoso; Osmajic

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Otavio, Moura; Rodrigues, Youssouf, Colombatto; Jaime, Cadiz, Felipe

We say: Vizela 1-1 Famalicao

With just three points separating Vizela and Famalicao in the table, we anticipate a close contest this weekend. Both sides head into the weekend in similar form and we predict they will cancel out each other's efforts.

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