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NederlandPortimonense will look to break back into the top five of the Primeira Liga table on Saturday, when they travel to take on Famalicao.
The Algarve outfit maintained their position in sixth spot with a win over Belenenses in their last league outing, while the hosts have now won two of their last three games and head into Saturday in a three-game league unbeaten run.
Match preview
© Reuters
Famalicao had to battle through a particularly tough start to the Primeira Liga campaign, failing to win any of their opening eight games and picking up just three points in that time.
After finishing ninth last term, the club stuck by manager Ivo Vieira, and that decision looks to be bearing fruit, as Fama have now earned seven points from their last three outings, starting with a 2-0 away win over Santa Clara thanks to a Simon Banza brace.
Following a draw with Vizela, as they snatched a point through a 98th-minute equaliser from Dylan Batubinsika, Vieira's men posted their second win of the season in the most recent clash, as Banza hit a double alongside goals from Pedro Brazao, Alexandre Penetra and Pedro Rodrigues in an eye-catching 5-2 thrashing of Boavista away from home.
On the back of a cup win over Alverca, Fama now come into Saturday in a run of four matches without a defeat, and, having risen to 13th spot thanks to their upturn in form, they will look to post another league win to continue their climb away from the relegation battle.
They welcome a Portimonense side who sit sixth after an impressive start to their campaign in the Portuguese top flight.
After a surprise 1-0 win away at title-chasing Benfica, with Lucas Possignolo netting the deciding goal, Paulo Sergio's side sat fifth with 14 points from their opening eight league outings.
While they went on to suffer back-to-back defeats to Braga and Estoril Praia in the aftermath of that victory, the Algarve side made an important return to winning ways in the most recent round of Primeira Liga games.
Sergio's men entertained Belenenses, and Shoya Nakajima and Pedro Sa got on the scoresheet in a comfortable 2-0 win, before they made it consecutive victories by defeating Penafiel 3-0 in the Taca de Portugal fourth round last time out.
Having fended off seventh-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes with the win over Belenenses, Portimonense will now look to climb back into the top five on Saturday.
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Team News
Famalicao are set to come into the game with a clean bill of health, and Vieira is expected to field an unchanged starting XI from the dominant away win over Boavista.
Lens loanee Simon Banza will lead the line with plenty of confidence, having hit two braces in the last three games to take his tally to seven goals in seven Primeira Liga appearances this season.
He should again be supported by exciting 18-year-old attacker Pedro Brazao, who recorded his first top-flight goal and assist in just his second league start of the season in that game, while he and Banza both got on the scoresheet in the cup win over Alverca last time out.
Portimonense should also avoid deviating too far from the starting XI that played in the 2-0 win over Belenenses, with Pedro Henrique and Lucas Possignolo continuing to partner up at the back.
Giannelli Imbula and Pedro Sa provide a strong shield for the defensive line, giving Shoya Nakajima the freedom to support the front three.
Attacker Aylton Boa Morte will be hoping to earn his starting spot back after a spell on the bench.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Figueiras, Penetra, Alex, Marin; Rodrigues, Pickel; Tavares, Brazao, Jaime; Banza
Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Moufi, Henrique, Possignolo, Cande; Imbula, Sa; Marcus, Nakajima, Carlinhos; Boa Morte
We say: Famalicao 1-1 Portimonense
While Portimonense have enjoyed the far more consistently strong season, Famalicao come into Saturday with plenty of momentum, and we see them picking up a result.
While we back the sixth-placed side to avoid a defeat, they will be put under plenty of pressure by a resurgent Fama outfit and should be relatively pleased with a point.
