Fresh off heavy defeats in their respective previous Primeira Liga outings, AVS and Boavista meet at the Estadio do CD Aves on Monday in what is set to be a crucial clash in the battle to avoid relegation.
Caught in a crossfire between the two title contenders, the hosts suffered a 6-0 hammering at Benfica a day before the Chequered Ones were torn apart 5-0 in front of their own fans by leaders Sporting Lisbon.
Match preview
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AVS remain without a win in seven league matches, losing six of those, and their latest humiliation in Lisbon leaves them with the leakiest defence in the division.
The Vila das Aves club have conceded 55 goals while managing just 23 at the other end — only the bottom two have scored fewer.
With just four wins to their name in their debut top-flight campaign, Rui Ferreira's side currently occupy the relegation playoff spot on 24 points, three ahead of Monday's visitors and five away from guaranteed safety with only three games left to play.
Although three of those victories have come on their own patch, AVS possess the third-worst home record in the league, collecting 15 points from 15 outings at CD Aves.
Their last success came against fellow strugglers Farense in early March, and Monday presents a vital opportunity to land another blow on a direct rival and keep their survival hopes alive.
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Meanwhile, the visitors sit rock bottom with 21 points, and their decade-long stay in the top flight would be all but over if they leave Aves empty-handed.
The loss against Sporting was their 20th defeat of this Primeira Liga campaign — more than any other team — while the Chequered Ones have tasted victory twice in their last four outings.
Stuart Baxter's side picked up vital three points at Rio Ave before securing a hard-fought triumph at Farense, so Boavista will be hoping to carry that away momentum into Monday's showdown and make it three straight wins on the road, which could lift them into the relegation playoff spot.
Indeed, the Panthers have claimed 71% of their total points on their travels, offering a small measure of optimism, although Os Axadrezados's only previous meeting with AVS ended in a goalless draw.
Team News
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Rafael Rodrigues and Jaume Grau are back available for the hosts after serving suspensions and are expected to slot straight back into the starting XI.
Lucas Piazon and Vasco Lopes made an impression off the bench last time out and could be handed starts out wide if Ferreira opts for changes in the flanks.
Gerson Rodrigues remains sidelined through injury, while Lucas Fernandes faces a late fitness test to determine whether he can play any part.
As for the visitors, they continue to be ravaged by injuries, with Joao Goncalves, Marco Ribeiro, Tomas Silva, Layvin Kurzawa, Luis Pires, Tiago Machado and Miguel Reisinho all ruled out of the crucial trip.
Robert Bozenik is expected to reclaim his starting berth in attack after featuring from the bench last time, which could see Marco van Ginkel drop back into midfield.
AVS possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Devenish, Roux, Teixeira; Rodrigues, Mendonca, Grau, Fonseca; Akinsola, Luis, Mercado
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Vaclik; Ferreira, Fogning, Abascal, Agra; Ginkel, Perez, Silva, Diaby, Bozeník, Kone
We say: AVS 0-0 Boavista
There is plenty riding on this match, with a win for AVS further pushing Boavista to the brink of relegation, while three points for the visitors would significantly dent the Avenses's hopes of survival.
With such high stakes, a tense affair is expected, with both sides likely to approach cautiously and avoid taking unnecessary risks, which could well lead to a cagey stalemate.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
