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

Two clubs locked together on points in the Primeira Liga table meet on the final day, as modest Moreirense welcome Famalicao to Parque Moreira de Canons on Wednesday.

With a potential top-half finish being on offer for the winner, there is still something to play for in Guimaraes.

Match preview

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Currently sitting just inside the top half of the Liga standings, Famalicao come into Wednesday's season-concluding game on the back of three consecutive victories - most recently over rock-bottom Nacional, on Sunday.

Goals from Ivo Rodrigues, Spanish midfielder Ivan Jaime and Fernando Valenzuela sealed all three points for Fama at the weekend, coming hot on the heels of successes against Santa Clara and Vitoria SC - two teams just above them in the table.

Ivo Vieira's side are finishing with a flourish, further confirming his appointment two months ago was a wise decision by the club's board.

The much-travelled Vieira was brought in at the beginning of March with Famalicao floundering inside the drop zone but has rapidly turned their fortunes around with six wins from his first 11 games in charge.

As a result, his new club have pulled away from the threat of relegation, with even a top-eight finish still possible heading into the final game of the campaign.

By contrast, Moreirense have only registered two victories from their last 12 fixtures in the top flight to tumble down the standings of late.

Following five matches without success, the Green and Whites returned to winning ways last Monday, with a 2-1 victory at Portimonense. On-loan Nahuel Ferraresi netted for the third time in his last five appearances, marking the Manchester City centre-back as one to watch in the opposition area.

However, Saturday's subsequent loss to local rivals Braga means that they have now picked up just six points from their past six matches and could finish as low as 11th, should they fail again on the final day.

Back in 2018–19, the man who will take his place in the opposition dugout on Wednesday led Moreirense to their best-ever sixth place finish in the league - only missing out on a Europa League spot on goal difference to Vitoria de Guimaraes, who Vieira then left the club for.

Repeating such a feat is no longer possible, thanks to their dismal run this spring, so getting one over on their old manager may instead prove one of their major motivations.

Team News

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On loan from Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers this term, Ruben Vinagre has adapted well to life at full-back following Famalicao's successful switch from a back three in recent weeks and should start for perhaps the last time in the Azuis e Brancos shirt - with Benfica apparently set to secure his signature this summer.

Famalicao will, though, be without fellow Wolves loanee Bruno Jordao, as he will not return to action until next season.

Centre-back Diogo Queiros returns from suspension after missing the win over Nacional, while both Ivan Jaime and Fernando Valenzuela will hope to be offered starting places following their goals at the weekend.

Moreirense coach Vasco Seabra, meanwhile, will again be without forward Derik Lacerda (shoulder) and goalkeeper Mateus Pasinato, who has a broken nose, with Miguel Oliveira set to deputise once more as the home side's last line of defence.

On the left flank of a likely 4-4-2, Brazilian winger Felipe Pires will seek to hold off competition from compatriot Jefferson Galego.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Oliveira; Ferraresi, Rosic, Ba, Conte; Franco, Pacheco, Simao, Pires; Walterson, Luis

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Figueiras, Riccieli, Queiros, Vinagre; Ugarte, Assuncao; Rodrigues, Kraev, Tavares; Guedes

We say: Moreirense 1-2 Famalicao

A Famalicao side who have improved hugely under former Moreirense boss Ivo Vieira should extend their recent resurgence with a fourth win on the spin - and the promise of better things to come next season.

The hosts, meanwhile, have toiled towards the back end of their 2020-21 campaign and may have to settle for a place in the bottom half of the standings at the final whistle.

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