On Friday night, Pacos de Ferreira will hope to enhance their chances of sealing European football for next season when they host Nacional Madeira at the Estadio da Capital do Movel.
Pacos de Ferreira currently occupy fifth-place in the Portuguese top-flight table, which would be enough for a Europa League play-off spot for next season. However, they are currently just three points clear of sixth-place Vitoria Guimaraes.
A recent run of inconsistent form has not helped the home side’s efforts of securing a top-five spot this season. In fact, a 3-0 defeat at seventh-place Santa Clara last time out means that Pacos de Ferreira have won just one of their last four matches in the Primeira Liga.
The game also continued a worrying trend for the home side, who have now failed to score in three of their last four league outings.
However, one major positive for Pepa’s team is their recent home record in the Portuguese top-flight, as they are unbeaten in nine home games, having recorded seven victories in the process.
While the home side is looking for a top-five finish, Nacional Madeira will just be looking to stay out of the bottom three this season.
The team from the Madeira capital Funchal have suffered three straight league defeats, which has left them just two points clear of the relegation play-off spot in a congested area of the table.
The main area of concern for the visitors of late has been in defence, as they have conceded at least two goals in all three of their recent league defeats.
Nacional have also been poor travellers of late in the Portuguese top-flight, winning just once in their previous nine away games.
Forebet predicts that Pacos de Ferreira will pick up maximum points to boost their chances of qualifying for Europe while leaving the visitors in a perilous position in the table.