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

Two sides at the wrong end of the Primera Liga table square off on Sunday as Moreirense play host to Famalicao at the Estadio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas.

The visitors will head into the game seeking to get one over their hosts after falling to humbling defeats in each of their two meetings last season.

Match preview

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Moreirense failed to pick up their first win of the season when they played out a 1-1 draw with Belenenses at the Estadio do Restelo last time out.

In a game that saw two struggling sides go head to head, Chima Akas gave O Belem the lead in the 29th minute before Andre Luis came off the bench to even the scores in the 86th minute.

Os Verdes e Brancos have now failed to win any of their last seven games in all competitions, a poor run that has seen them crash out of the Taca da Liga qualifiers following their loss to Penafiel on penalties.

They will fancy their chances of ending their winless start to the season this weekend, as they take on an opposing team who are without a win in the last five meetings between the sides since 2018.

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Sunday's visitors picked up their first point this season last time out, when they held defending champion Sporting Lisbon to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.

Following a drab first half, the second half sparked into life when Nuno Mendes's own goal gave the Famalicenses a surprise lead before Joao Palhinha restored parity with eight minutes remaining on the clock.

Prior to that, Famalicao suffered defeats at the hands of Pacos de Ferreira, Porto and Arouca in their opening three games of the season, while conceding six goals and scoring two.

Despite their struggles so far, Ivo Vieira will be impressed by his side's performance against Sporting Lisbon last time out and will hope they can take the positives from the game to get their campaign up and running.

Famalicao return to home turf to take on Maritimo in their next outing, while Moreirense follow Sunday's game with the daunting task of going against a rampant Porto side away from home.

Team News

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Moreirense remain without Portuguese defender Pedro Amador, who has been out of action for nine months through a severe injury.

While Filipe Soares hobbled off with an injury midway through the game against Belenenses last time out, Rodrigo Conceicao returned to the fold in the 81st minute as he continues his gradual return to full fitness.

Andre Luis took his goal tally to two when he came off the bench to grab the equaliser in the aforementioned game, and the 27-year-old could be rewarded with his first starting appearance.

Famalicao, meanwhile, will take to the pitch without 24-year-old forward Heriberto Tavares, who picked up a muscle injury in this same fixture back in May.

Strike partner Pedro Marques is also out of contention for the visitors, as he is currently recuperating from a recently sustained injury.

However, newly-signed forward Marcos Paulo made his return from injury against Sporting Lisbon last time out, and the Atletico Madrid loanee will be tasked with handling business at the attacking end of the pitch.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Pasinato; Jorge, Vitoria, Rosic; Ramos, Pacheco, Soares, Conte; Santos, Martins, Luis

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Figueiras, Batubinsika, Riccieli, Lima; Pickel, Tavares; I Rodrigues, Jamie, B Rodrigues; Paulo

We say: Moreirense 2-1 Famalicao

After stumbling into the new campaign, both sides find themselves separated by just one point in the relegation places. Famalicao have struggled to perform at the attacking end of the pitch, where they have scored just three goals so far.

Moreirense, meanwhile, head into the game in fine goalscoring form and, looking at past results between the sides, we predict they will extend their dominance over the visitors.