Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Vizela vs. SC Farense - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 7 March 2024, 23:07
Two sides who could do well with a win go head to head in round 25 of the Primeira Liga as Vizela play host to Farense at the Estadio do FC Vizela on Saturday.

A run of just one win in nine games has seen the Vizelenses plunge into the relegation zone, while the visitors have picked just two points from five matches since January.

Match preview

With just 10 games left to go before the 2023-24 Primeira Liga campaign draws to a conclusion, Vizela must turn their fortunes around sooner rather than later if they hope to preserve their three-year stint in the top flight.

The Vizelenses have won just three of their 24 league matches so far while losing 12 and claiming nine draws to collect 18 points and sit 17th in the table, level on points with rock-bottom Chaves and four points away from safety.

Having finished 11th last term, Vizela's underwhelming campaign has been owing to their lack of firepower up top as they have scored the fewest number of goals this season (23).

This was highlighted last Sunday when they settled for a goalless draw against Portimonense at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao despite having the numerical advantage following Pedrao's 69th-minute red card.

Vizela have now failed to win 13 of their last 14 league matches since early November — losing seven and claiming six draws — with a 1-0 victory over Gil Vicente at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on February 13 being the exception.

Ruben de la Barrera's men have struggled to get going at the defensive end of the pitch as they have shipped 47 goals so far, with only Chaves (54) and Portimonense (49) conceding more.

Elsewhere, Farense were left empty handed for a third consecutive games as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against title-chasing Sporting Lisbon when the sides met at the Estadio Jose Alvalade last Sunday.

Strikes from Mohamed Belloumi and Ze Luis restored parity after Daniel Braganca and Victor Gyokeres put Sporting Lisbon two goals up inside the opening half-hour, but Pedro Goncalves netted in the 53rd minute to hand the hosts a vital win in their title charge.

Jose Mota's men have now gone six consecutive games without a win, picking up two points from the last 18 available since securing a 3-1 victory over Casa Pia at the Estadio Pina Manique on January 20.

After an impressive first half of the season, this poor run of form has threatened to derail Farense's push for a top-half finish as they now sit 11th in the Primeira Liga table, four points above the relegation playoff spot.

Vizela Primeira Liga form:

L

L

W

L

D

D

Vizela form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

D

D

SC Farense Primeira Liga form:

L

D

D

L

L

L

Team News

Vizela will take to the pitch without the services of Swiss goalkeeper Francesco Ruberto, who came off with a muscle injury in the game against Benfica on February 18.

Other than that, the Vizelenses head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving De la Barrera the luxury of a relatively full strength squad to select from.

That said, we expect an unchanged Vizela back four of Orest Lebedenko, Jota Goncalves, Rodrigo Escoval and Tomas Silva for the second consecutive game, with Samuel Essende, who has 13 league goals this season, leading the attack.

Meanwhile, Farense will have to cope without the duo of Joao Talocha and Brazilian goalkeeper Luiz Felipe, who have been sidelined through muscle and tendon injuries respectively.

Bruno Duarte, who has eight goals and two assists under his belt this season, missed last week's game against Moreirense and is also a doubt for Saturday's clash.

Experienced midfielder Mattheus picked up a straight red card against Moreirense on February 24 and the former Sporting Lisbon man will serve the second of his three-game suspension this weekend.

Vizela possible starting lineup:

Buntic; Lebedenko, Goncalves, Escoval, Silva; Samu, Quina, Costa, Pereira, Ortiz; Essende

SC Farense possible starting lineup:

Velho; Pastor, Muscat, Silva, Talys; Isidoro, Caseres; Balde, Falcao, Belloumi; Ze Luis

We say: Vizela 1-0 SC Farense

Vizela and Farense have struggled to get going of late and will both head into the weekend in search of a pick-me-up. The Vizelenses' home advantage should give them a slight edge this weekend as we are backing them to come away with all three points, albeit by the odd goal.

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday's La Liga contest. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides that were glad to see international football intervene will return from a much-needed break on Saturday, as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace meet at Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Johnstone host Kilmarnock this weekend at McDiarmid Park, in a clash between two struggling Scottish Premiership sides. 21 November 2024 talksport.com It would take a lot to humiliate Cole Palmer on a football pitch, but he's revealed what would need to happen to do so. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Iago Aspas is once again expected to start, as Celta Vigo continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a contest against division leaders Barcelona on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are set to again be without the services of a number of important players for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, including Lamine Yamal, with the Spaniard not yet recovering from an ankle problem. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table meet on Saturday, as Burton Albion host Stockport County at the Pirelli Stadium. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube video with Mr Beast hit one million views in just 30 minutes. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all reportedly interested in signing Vasco da Gama youngster Rayan. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga leaders Barcelona will be bidding to bounce back from a surprise defeat before the November international break when they resume their league campaign away to Celta Vigo on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal need a figure up front like Alexander Isak to replace Kai Havertz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim will take charge of his first game as Manchester United manager this weekend as his side take on Ipswich. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly been handed a boost in their pursuit of PSV Eindhoven attacker Ricardo Pepi ahead of the January transfer window. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be fit to start when the Bees travel to Goodison Park to face Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Portsmouth return from the international break with a trip to Ewood Park for Saturday's Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool and Newcastle United are reportedly set to battle for the signature of Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly leading Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are three days away from seeing Ruben Amorim make his touchline debut for the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be aiming to maintain their place at the top of the Premier League table this weekend when they travel to face Southampton. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will reportedly step up their efforts to tie one of their star players down to a new contract after persuading manager Pep Guardiola to stay at the club. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Neymar has admitted he contemplated retirement as he opened up on his injury hell.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon