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

Famalicao will look to stretch their unbeaten run to five games on Sunday, when they play host to Portimonense.

The home side have moved up to 13th spot in the Primeira Liga table having picked up eight points from their last four league outings, while Portimonense come into this game having secured their first back-to-back victories of the season.

Match preview

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Famalicao faced a tough test last time out in their bid to build their longest unbeaten run of the season, as they travelled to the Estadio Jose Alvalade to take on league leaders Sporting Lisbon.

The hosts took the lead through former Famalicao forward Pedro Goncalves, but Anderson immediately added an equaliser and Fama were able to hold onto a commendable point.

That followed consecutive dominant victories, as Ivo Vieira's men thrashed fellow strugglers Maritimo 4-0 and defeated fifth-placed Pacos de Ferreira 2-0.

Vieira was brought into the club in March with the side sat in the automatic relegation zone, but he has been able to quickly reverse their fortunes with two wins and two impressive draws in his first four games at the helm.

As a result, Fama have hugely boosted their chances of survival, now sitting three points ahead of Maritimo in the relegation playoff place and five points above the automatic drop zone.

Vieira will know that their work is far from over yet though, and he will be keen for his side to continue their strong run to increase that gap between themselves and the bottom three.

They take on a Portimonense side who have also hit a solid run of form, recording consecutive league victories for the first time this season.

Both of those victories were particularly dominant for Paulo Sergio's side, most recently beating sixth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes 3-0 thanks to goals from Lucas Possignolo, Dener Clemente and Beto.

Before that, the Algarve outfit recorded an eye-catching 5-1 away victory over basement side Nacional, as Luquinha, Fali Cande and Fabricio all got on the scoresheet alongside a Beto brace.

Those two victories have seen Portimonense move rapidly up the Primeira Liga table, now sitting in ninth place having previously been involved in the fight for survival.

Similarly to Sunday's opponents, Sergio's are anything but safe yet though, and they will be cautious of a defeat which could drag them back down into the relegation scrap.

Team News

Famalicao will come into this game without centre-back Riccieli, who will serve a suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the recent draw with Sporting Lisbon.

However, they did welcome Gustavo Assuncao back from his suspension last time out, boosting Vieira's midfield options.

Anderson will lead the line with confidence, having netted an impressive tally of five goals in his last four league outings.

Sergio could opt to stick with the same lineup which has secured back-to-back dominant victories.

However, he did change the shape of his side for the game against Vitoria de Guimaraes, moving Willyan into midfield to join Dener Clemente and Luquinha.

That left Lucas Possignolo and Mauricio Antonio to partner up at the heart of a back four, and the pair secured a clean sheet.

At the other end of the pitch, Beto will lead the line, having netted three goals in the last two games to take his tally to 10 league goals for the season.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Figueiras, Patrick, Queiros, Vinagre; Assuncao, Ugarte, Rodrigues; Dias, Anderson, Jaime

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Moufi, Possignolo, Antonio, Anzai; Willyan, Clemente; Boa Morte, Luquinha, Anderson; Beto

We say: Famalicao 1-1 Portimonense

With two sides coming into Sunday's game in encouraging runs of form, we see them sharing the points at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.

Neither team will want to risk suffering a defeat which could put them back in danger, and we expect Anderson and Beto to each find the net to earn a point for their respective sides.