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

Seeking to move out of the relegation zone, Moreirense play host to Portimonense at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on Sunday.

The visitors will head into the game aiming to quickly return to winning ways and move into the Conference League qualification places in the Primeira Liga standings.

Match preview

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Moreirense failed to pick up successive wins in all competitions for the first time since July as they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Gil Vicente.

Following a drab first half, the game sparked into life in the 49th minute when Yan Santos calmly converted from 12 yards to put the hosts ahead, but after Samuel Lino and Fran Navarro netted in a nine-minute spell to turn the game around, Steven Vitoria came up trumps for the hosts as he scored a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser to force a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Lito Vidigal's side secured their place in the fifth round of the Taca de Portugal when they claimed a hard-earned 3-2 win over Vitoria de Guimaraes on November 21.

Moreirense have now failed to taste victory in any of their last five league outings, claiming three draws and losing two, while they are winless in all but one of their 12 games this season.

This poor run of results sees Os verdes e brancos sit second but one in the Primeira Liga standings, just one point above rock-bottom Belenenses and one point behind Vizela just outside the drop zone.

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Meanwhile, Portimonense's string of fine results took a halt last time out when they fell to a humbling 3-0 defeat at the hands of high-flying Porto.

In a one-sided affair at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Pedro Sa scored an own goal on the stroke of half time to put the visitors in front heading into the interval before Vitinha and Otavio scored in a five-minute spell to make sure of the result.

Prior to that, Paulo Sergio's men were on a run of three consecutive wins across all competitions, including a 3-0 victory over Penafiel on November 19 which confirmed their place in the next round of the Taca de Portugal.

With 20 points from 13 games, the Portimao-based side are currently seventh on the log, one point behind Estoril Praia in the final Conference League qualification spot.

However, while they will be looking to move into the top five places on the log, they face the stern test of going up against an opposing side who are unbeaten in each of the last six meetings between the teams, claiming four wins and two draws in that time.

Team News

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Moreirense will be without the services of the Brazilian duo of midfielders Pablo Santos and Galego, who have both been sidelined through injuries.

Godfried Frimpong will also play no part in the game after the Portuguese youngster picked up a severe injury in September's game against Santa Clara.

Following his late equaliser against Gil Vicente last time out, veteran defender Steven Vitoria has now scored in two consecutive games and we expect the Canadian international to start at the heart of the defence on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Achraf Lazar remains the only concern on the injury front for Portimonense after the Moroccan full-back sustained an injury in the 2-1 win over Santa Clara on September 17.

Following an uninspiring performance against Porto last time out, where he scored an own goal before coming off at the break, Pedro Sa could return to the bench on Sunday with Luquinha handed his third start of the season.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Paulinho, Rosic, Vitoria, Conte; Camara, Pacheco; Walterson, Pires, Yan; Luis

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Moufi, Pedrao, Willyan, Cande; Fernandes, Carlinhos, Luquinha; Morte, Aponza, Fabricio

We say: Moreirense 0-2 Portimonense

Portimonense have enjoyed a decent season so far, and despite their defeat against a significantly stronger Porto side, they head into the game as the more in-form side. We predict they will return to winning ways as they face a floundering Moreirense side, who are yet to hit their stride so far.

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