Moreirense entertain Santa Clara in the Primeira Liga on Tuesday evening, with the hosts looking to end a run of five games without a win in the league.
The visitors have also had a tough time of late, though, after losing three of their last four Primeira Liga encounters.
Match preview
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Vitor Campelos's side have only won two of their opening 10 league matches, but a series of draws and a favourable goal difference currently sees them up in 11th position in the table.
However, os Verdes e Brancos are just two points above the relegation places, and a victory in midweek could create some daylight between themselves and the drop zone.
While Moreirense have struggled to put the ball in the back of the opposition's net this season, they have been extremely adept at keeping it out of theirs.
Just 10 goals conceded means they have the second-best defensive record in the bottom half of the division, and they will be relying upon keeping it tight at the back to pick up a good result on Tuesday.
Santa Clara currently find themselves in seventh position after a strong start to the new campaign saw them win their opening two fixtures.
A loss in midweek would see their opponents leapfrog them in the table though after picking up just two more victories in their last eight league games.
Daniel Ramos's men will have to cope without leading scorer Thiago Santana after the Portuguese striker agreed to move to J-League outfit Shimizu S-Pulse in the upcoming January transfer window.
The 27-year-old has bagged seven of Santa Clara's 10 league goals to date, and his absence will be a big loss in the second half of the season.
Moreirense Primeira Liga form: WLLLDD
Moreirense form (all competitions): WLLDWD
Santa Clara Primeira Liga form: LWLLWL
Santa Clara form (all competitions): LWLWWL
Team News
Defensive midfielder Sori Mane is unavailable for Campelos after picking up an injury along with winger Lucas Rodrigues.
Pedro Amador and Pedro Nuno are both unavailable after the pair sustained cruciate ligament injuries and face lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Santa Clara will likely turn to Iranian forward Shahriar Moghanlou in Santana's absence.
Right-winger Andre Mesquita is Ramos's only injury concern, with the 23-year-old unavailable due to a muscle problem.
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Pasinato; Figueiredo, Vitoria, Pacheco, Rosic, D'Alberto; Pires, Soares, Soares, Yan; Lacerda
Santa Clara possible starting lineup:
Marco; Ramos, Cardoso, Villanueva, Lucas; Nene, Rashid, Costinha; Ukra, Moghanlou, Carlos
We say: Moreirense 1-1 Santa Clara
It should be an evenly contested affair on Tuesday between two sides desperate to turn their recent fortunes around. A draw would be a decent result for both teams, and they could settle for a point apiece.
