Boavista vs. Nacional (Saturday, 3.30pm)
© Imago
Having benefitted from a new-manager bounce, Boavista will aim to build momentum when they welcome Nacional to Estadio do Bessa on Saturday for matchday 29 of the Primeira Liga.
Caretaker boss Jorge Couto made a dream start to life in the dugout last weekend, steering the Checkered Ones to a crucial win away to Rio Ave that breathed new life into their survival push.
We say: Boavista 0-0 Nacional
Boavista may ride the wave of their new-manager bounce to deliver another spirited performance, but that alone may not be enough to overcome Nacional, making a stalemate the most probable outcome.
Additionally, with both teams struggling in front of goal, a low-scoring contest appears to be on the cards – especially considering that four of the last five meetings between these sides have produced no more than one goal.
> Primeira Liga preview: Boavista vs Nacional
Famalicao vs. Estoril (Saturday, 3.30pm)
© Imago
Two sides separated by just a point in the Primeira Liga standings will square off on Saturday, as Famalicao welcome Estoril Praia to Estadio Municipal for a round 29 showdown.
The hosts sit seventh with 40 points, while their visitors trail two places behind, heightening the stakes of what promises to be a tightly contested encounter.
We say: Famalicao 2-1 Estoril Praia
This one promises to be an engaging affair given Estoril's knack for finding the net on the road, and although Famalicao have been defensively resolute, they did concede in their last outing at the Municipal to an AVS side not known for their attacking fluency.
Nonetheless, the hosts are backed to edge it, fuelled by their impressive run on home soil, which swings momentum in their favour.
> Primeira Liga preview: Famalicao vs Estoril
Santa Clara vs. Sporting Lisbon (Saturday, 6.00pm)
© Imago
Looking to bounce back from their recent setback, Sporting Lisbon make the long trip to the Azores as they face Santa Clara in gameweek 29 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday evening.
The Lions's title hopes took a dent on Monday when they dropped points against Braga, a result that ensured they remained in second place following Benfica's emphatic victory away to Porto.
We say: Santa Clara 1-2 Sporting Lisbon
Although Santa Clara are expected to offer stern resistance given their solid home reputation, recent struggles on their own patch could leave them vulnerable against a side of Sporting's calibre.
The visitors arrive with greater urgency, spurred by the prospect of reclaiming the summit ahead of Benfica's fixture, and that added motivation could prove decisive on the day.
> Primeira Liga preview: Santa Clara vs Sporting Lisbon
Casa Pia vs. Porto (Saturday, 8.30pm)
© Imago
Porto will seek redemption following last weekend's nightmare showing when they travel to Casa Pia in round 29 of the Primeira Liga this Saturday.
The Dragons were left red-faced after a humiliating home loss to fierce rivals Benfica, a result that saw them drop to fourth place, while the hosts find themselves eighth after managing to avoid defeat in back-to-back matches.
We say: Casa Pia 1-2 Porto
Casa Pia have proven to be a tough nut to crack on home soil, even handing Benfica a 3-1 defeat earlier this season, so they are unlikely to roll over easily against Porto.
That said, while the visitors have been far from convincing in recent weeks, their strong head-to-head record in this fixture could see them edge a narrow victory, though the hosts are fancied to find the net once more having scored in 14 consecutive home matches.
> Primeira Liga preview: Casa Pia vs Porto
Ben Knapton
