Preview: Boavista vs. Portimonense - prediction, team news, lineups

Seeking to extend their run of three games without defeat, Boavista welcome Portimonense to the Estadio do Bessa in round five of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, head into the game fresh off the back of a home loss against Pacos de Ferreira, and will aim to quickly return to winning ways.

Match preview

© Reuters

High-flying Boavista were denied their third win on the spin last time out, when they were held to a 1-1 draw by a dogged Vizela side.

Gustavo Sauer scored against the run of play to hand Os Axadrezados the lead six minutes after the break, before Koffi Kouao restored parity with a 74th-minute strike.

Prior to that, Boavista claimed successive home victories over Pacos de Ferreira and Santa Clara, scoring five goals and keeping clean sheets in both outings.

This solid start to the season sees Joao Pedro Sousa's side seated in the Conference League qualification spots with seven points from four games, one point and four places above Sunday's visitors.

Portimonense, on the other hand, failed in their bid to make it two wins from two games for the first time since April when they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Pacos de Ferreira last time out.

In an end-to-end affair at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Douglas Tanque scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time to condemn the hosts to their second loss of the season and end Os Castores' run of two consecutive defeats.

That followed a comfortable 3-0 victory at Tondela, as Beto, Aylton Boa Morte and Fali Cande scored to hand Paulo Sergio's men their second win of the season.

While Portimonense head into the game seeking an immediate return to winning ways, they face the stern test of going up against an opposing side who they have lost to in each of their most recent three encounters.

Team News

© Reuters

French defender Yanis Hamache is a major doubt for Boavista after coming off with a 60th-minute injury in the game against Vizela last time out.

In his absence, 30-year-old full-back Filipe Ferreira, who recently completed a move from Tondela, could be handed his first starting appearance.

With three goal involvements in the last three games, Sauer has been on song for Os Axadrezados, and we expect the 28-year-old Brazilian to lead the attack once again.

As for Portimonense, Beto, who hit two goals in the opening two games of the season, will miss the game after completing a loan switch to Italian outfit Udinese.

Thirty-one-year-old forward Fabricio also misses out after coming off injured midway through the game versus Vitoria de Guimaraes last month.

Despite the defeat last time out, substitute Luquinha put on a solid performance after replacing Lucas Possignolo at half time, and the youngster could be rewarded with a place in the starting XI.

Boavista possible starting lineup:
Bracali; Awaziem, Garcia, Ilori; Nathan, Makouta, Remao, Ferreira; Gorre, Njie, Sauer

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Moufi, Luquinha, Pedrao, Cande; Rocha; Fernandes, Carlinhos, Oliveira, Boa Morte; Junior

We say: Boavista 2-1 Portimonense

Both sides have enjoyed solid starts to the new campaign, and will be looking to strengthen their position in the top half of the standings.

Boavista are currently on a three-game winning streak against the visitors, and, considering they have avoided defeat in each of their last five games across all competitions, we fancy them to come out triumphant on Sunday.