The Portuguese Primeira Liga returns with a fresh set of fixtures as Belenenses play host to Vizela at the Estadio Nacional do Jamor on Saturday.
The Vizelenses will head into the game seeking to complete a league double over the hosts after picking up a 2-0 victory back in January's reverse fixture.
Match preview
Belenenses were sent crashing back down to earth in the Primeira Liga as they were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat against Benfica at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica last Saturday.
After taking a third-minute lead through Afonso Sousa, Darwin Nunez turned in a performance of the highest quality as he hit three goals to turn the tie on its head and hand As Aguias all three points.
This followed a 2-0 home victory over Portimonense on April 2, when Safira and Pedro Nuno scored in either half to end O Belem's run of five games without a win.
With 21 points from 29 games, Belenenses remain rooted to the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings, six points adrift of Arouca just outside the relegation zone.
On the back of a 10th-placed finish last season, Franclim Carvalho's side's underwhelming campaign has been owing to their struggles at both ends of the pitch as they hold the division's worst attacking record with just 18 goals scored while shipping 49 so far.
Like the hosts, Vizela were denied a second consecutive victory last time out when they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Braga at the Estadio do FC Vizela.
In a game where Vitor Oliveira received his marching orders, Iuri Medeiros came up trumps for Os Arcebispos as he scored for the second straight league game to hand them a hard-fought victory.
Prior to that, Alvaro Pacheco's men ended their seven-game winless run when they saw off Estoril Praia 2-1 away from home on April 2 courtesy of a brace from 26-year-old forward Kiko Bondoso.
Vizela have won six, drawn 11 and lost 12 of their 29 games this season to collect 29 points and sit 13th in the league table, four points above 16th-placed Tondela in the relegation playoff spot.
- L
- D
- D
- D
- W
- L
- D
- L
- D
- D
- W
- L
Team News
O Belem will once again have to cope with the absence of 23-year-old midfielder Chico Teixeira, who has been sidelined since last September through a severe knee injury.
He is joined on the Belenenses injury table by Andrija Lukovic, who is set to sit out his sixth consecutive game after picking up an injury against Pacos de Ferreira on February 25.
As for Vizela, Brazilian midfielder Marcos Paulo will play no part in Saturday's game after the 33-year-old picked up an injury in March's game against Benfica.
Pacheco will also be unable to call upon the services of Portuguese defender Bruno Wilson, who has missed the last three games through injury.
Bondoso has been a standout performer for Vizela this season, registering five goals and five assists so far, and the 26-year-old forward will be one to keep an eye out for.
Belenenses possible starting lineup:
Felipe; Carraca, Danny, Phete, Calila; Baraye, Sithole, Braima; Camacho, Safira, Baraye
Vizela possible starting lineup:
Silva; Juliao, Anderson, Sarmiento, Ofori; Alvarado, Rashid, Samu; Bondoso, Zohi, Cassiano
We say: Belenenses 1-1 Vizela
Sunday's game sees two sides who have struggled for form square off and we expect them to have a go at each other in search of a morale-boosting win. Belenenses and Vizela head into the game in simian form and we predict the game will end all square with both sides settling for a point apiece.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
