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

Portimonense play host to Tondela on Sunday afternoon looking to end a five-match winless streak in Primeira Liga.

While the home side currently occupy eighth position in the standings, Tondela are in 14th spot, one point above the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Up until the turn of the year, Portimonense could claim to be enjoying a productive season with the club impressing in both the league and cup.

However, Paulo Sergio's team have now failed to win in five top-flight fixtures and have also been eliminated from the Taca de Portugal by lower-league Mafra.

Sergio will feel fortunate that none of Portugal's big three are immediately around the corner, but the pressure is on to get back on track during a favourable schedule.

Portimonense's home form has been the pivotal factor when it comes to not being higher in the standings, with just nine points and seven goals coming from 10 matches.

On a more positive note, Portimonense made light work of their next opponents in the reverse fixture, running out convincing 3-0 winners.

As far as Tondela are concerned, a recent three-match unbeaten streak has moved the club outside of the bottom three, their one win during that period being recorded against Moreirense.

Although they capitulated in the closing stages against Vizela last weekend, Pako Ayestaran can still be content that his side have been much improved since the November international break.

As well as their progress in Primeira Liga, Tondela are also still in the Taca de Portugal after edging out Rio Ave earlier this month.

Tondela have netted eight times in their last five matches in all competitions, Joao Pedro getting on the scoresheet in the league for the seventh time last weekend.

Team News

Portimonense will make at least one alteration with Lucas Fernandes serving a suspension for his red card against Gil Vicente.

Pedrao is also out due to five yellow cards, leaving Willyan and Ewerton in line to come back into the starting lineup.

After drawing a blank in their last game, Sergio may also consider freshening up his attack.

Rafael Barbosa could come into the Tondela XI as a replacement for Joao Pedro, who collected his fifth caution last weekend.

Daniel dos Anjos may keep his place down the centre of the attack, despite being challenged by Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Renat Dadashov.

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Moun, Willyan, Possignolo, Relvas; Ewerton, Nakajima, Sa; Fabricio, Aponza, Oliveira

Tondela possible starting lineup:
Trigueira; Bebeto, Sagnan, Hernando, Borges; Barbosa, Dantas, Alves; Boselli, Dadashov, Agra

We say: Portimonense 1-1 Tondela

With neither side showing any particular form of late, this could prove to be an evenly-matched affair. Despite Portimonense possessing home advantage and a higher place in the table, we fancy Tondea to do enough to claim a share of the spoils.

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