Preview: Santa Clara vs. Famalicao - prediction, team news, lineups

The Portuguese Primeira Liga returns with a fresh set of fixtures as Santa Clara play host to Famalicao at the Estadio de Sao Miguel on Saturday.

Both sides head into the game fresh off the back of progressing into the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal and will be looking to build on their respective performances.

Match preview

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Santa Clara booked their place in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal last Saturday when they claimed a 2-0 win away to third-tier outfit Uniao Leiria.

In that encounter, Goncalo Gregorio inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to put the Os Acoreanos in front heading into the break before Lincoln doubled the lead shortly after the hour mark.

Nuno Campos's side now return to the Primeira Liga where they have endured a rough start to the season and currently find themselves in 15th place, one point above Arouca in the relegation playoff spot.

Santa Clara, who secured an impressive sixth-placed finish last season, head into Saturday's game winless in each of their most recent four league outings, losing two and picking up two draws since a 1-0 win over Gil Vicente on August 28.

This slow start to the season has been in no small part owing to their frailties at the defensive end of the pitch, where they have shipped the joint-most goals in the division, with their luck at the opposite end of the pitch not any better as they have netted just six goals to date.

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Similarly, Famalicao continue to drop points in the Primeira Liga as they suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of Vitoria de Guimaraes at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao last time out.

After falling behind to Simon Banza's fifth-minute strike, Os Vimaranenses upped the ante as Oscar Estupinan restored parity in the 34th minute before Marcus Edwards completed the comeback one minute before the hour mark.

The Vila Nova are yet to taste victory in the league this term, picking up three draws and losing five of their opening eight games and this abysmal start to the season sees them rooted to the bottom of the standings.

However, they head into Saturday's game fresh off the back of progressing into the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal courtesy of a comfortable 4-0 win over Academica Coimbra when the sides met last Friday.

Head coach Ivo Vieira will hope the result can serve as a catalyst for a fine run of form as they look to get their campaign up and running and move out of the relegation zone.

Saturday's visitors will feel confident of coming away with the desired result after claiming wins in both home and away fixtures when they faced Santa Clara last season.

Team News

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Campos will be unable to call upon the services of Portuguese midfielder Ruben Oliveira, who sustained a severe injury back in May's clash against Farense.

He is joined on the club's injury table by fellow midfielder Costinha after the 29-year-old picked up an Achilles tendon injury in the game versus Moreirense back in August.

Meanwhile, there are no concerns on the injury front for Famalicao heading into the game following the return to full fitness of 24-year-old forward Heriberto Tavares.

Having recently recovered from injury, the former Stade Brestois forward opened his account for the season in the cup tie against Academica Coimbra last time out and he could be rewarded with his first league start of the season.

Vieira named a strong XI in the aforementioned game and after their dominant display, the Portuguese manager could name an unchanged side for the second game running, meaning we could see Lens loanee Simon Banza lead the attack once again.

Santa Clara possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Rodrigues, Gonzalez, Henrique, Mansur; Carvalho, Morita; Costa, Lincoln, Patric; Crysan

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Figueiras, Nascimento, Riccieli, Marin; Pickel, Pepe; Jaime, Rodrigues,  Tavares; Banza

We say: Santa Clara 1-2 Famalicao

Famalicao have been the surprise side of the new season and not for the right reasons. After securing a ninth-placed finish last season, they currently find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table after eight rounds of matches. Santa Clara have not performed significantly better either as they find themselves just three points and three places above the visitors following a similarly shaky start to the season. Looking at recent meetings between the sides, we are tipping Famalicao to come away with a narrow win in this one.