SC Farense play host to Portimonense on Tuesday evening knowing that victory could move the club outside of the Primeira Liga relegation zone.

While the visitors head into this fixture with the aim of moving closer to the top six, defeat would leave them vulnerable to being dragged into a battle to avoid the drop.

Match preview

© Reuters

On the back of five defeats in six matches, Farense looked well on their way to relegation with just seven fixtures remaining in the season.

However, Tuesday's 2-0 triumph at Europa-League chasing Pacos de Ferreira has breathed new life into their campaign, the club now just three points adrift of 15th spot.

With this game taking place at the end of matchday 29, the picture could have change significantly over the next 48 hours, but Jorge Costa will stress to his players that they must focus on their own performances over the coming weeks.

Scottish playmaker Ryan Gauld remains Farense's key player with his 13th goal contribution of the season coming in the previous match.

Farense also ended their run of failing to score two or more goals in a single fixture, a period which had lasted eight matches and over two months.

Like their hosts, Portimonense have spent much of the campaign fighting for survival among 11 teams separated by small margins.

Three successive victories have proven enough to move Paulo Sergio's team out of trouble for the time being, but the performance in the last game means that Portimonense still have much work ahead of them.

After taking the lead against Benfica, five goals were conceded in just over one half of football, the first time that Portimonense had shipped more than three goals all season.

While ending the season in sixth position remains a possibility, Sergio will first want to ensure that his team do not drop back into the bottom six in the short term.

Team News

Having replaced Lica during the early stages of the last fixture, Fabricio Isidoro is expected to start on the right flank for Farense.

With Costa not making any more changes until the final minutes, the remainder of the side should stay the same.

Sergio may make at least two changes to his Portimonense starting lineup after their capitulation versus Benfica.

Lucas Fernandes may be involved in a creative area, while Anderson Oliveira is also an option on one of the flanks.

Luquinhas will also hope to be recalled having contributed a goal and an assist in the two matches before he was dropped last time out.

SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Beto; Tavares, Martins, Mancha, Felipe; Oudrhiri; Isidoro, Gauld, Lucca, Mansilla; Henrique

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Moufi, Possignolo, Antonio, Cande; Willyan, Dener; Morte, Luquinhas, Fernandes; Beto

We say: SC Farense 2-1 Portimonense

While Farense can ill-afford many more defeats, they also need to capitalise on their home fixtures. With that in mind, we are backing the Primeira Liga strugglers to edge out opponents who may be lacking in confidence after their heavy defeat to Benfica.

Previews by email