SC Farense vs Boavista FC: Preview, Odds, Form Guide and Players to Watch (April 18) | OneFootball

The stakes will be high when Boavista travel south to take on Farense at the Estádio de São Luís this week. The Friday afternoon kickoff pits the two teams at the bottom of the Primeira Liga table against each other in an all-important six-pointer that will seriously affect the relegation battle. Both clubs know that anything less than three points will leave them hanging by a thread, possibly ending their chances of survival (at least for Boavista).

Farense are currently in 17th in the standings, two points below the relegation playoff position. Meanwhile, Boavista, who have managed just three points from their previous five matches, are rooted at the bottom of the table, trailing Farense by three points. There is, however, some hope for both these clubs with AVS, Estrela Amadora and Gil Vicente all struggling to secure points over the last couple of months. With just five games remaining in the campaign, this fixture is sure to produce some nail-biting moments for both sets of supporters, and some thrilling action for the neutrals.

Preview

It has been a difficult year for a Farense group that would have entered the 2024-25 campaign with high hopes. After finishing 10th last season, the club seemed to be progressing and heading in the right direction. However, the Faro side began the season with six consecutive league defeats, leaving them facing an uphill battle from September onwards.

Following a 1-0 defeat to Arouca in late September, the club parted ways with manager José Mota and brought in 37-year-old Tozé Marreco in the hopes of inspiring a revival. Tozé has done a great job of bringing some life back into the squad, and four points from their last two fixtures against Casa Pia and Estrela Amadora means the club are still within touching distance of safety.

After 29 matches, Farense have 21 points. One concern going into Friday’s clash is that they have managed just eight points over 14 home matches.

Another issue for Farense has been their inability to put the ball in the net, a major worry for a club trying to scrape their way out of the relegation zone. Farense have scored just 20 goals this season, the second-fewest in the league, behind only Boavista. In the Liga, they have scored two goals on just five occasions and have failed to record three goals or more in any of their 29 matches.

Portuguese striker Tomané leads the squad with four goals in all competitions, followed by Darío Poveda and Álex Bermejo who both have three.

It has been another rollercoaster ride for Boavista’s loyal supporters who must be craving some sense of normality after experiencing a series of highs and lows. Managerial changes, relegation struggles, financial concerns and a lack of goals have all been prevalent for the Axadrezados over the last few years. Unfortunately, this season has been no different.

Boavista have been inconsistent over the course of the campign with the club sacking manager Cristiano Bacci in early February following a series of disappointing performances. Veteran manager Lito Vidigal was brought in to steady the ship but managed just six matches and three points before he was let go this week.

The Panthers have now placed their survival hopes on the shoulders of English-Scottish manager Stuart Baxter. The 71-year-old has plenty of experience coaching at the highest levels, including managerial positions with the England U-19 team, and South African and Finland national teams, but will have a monumental task on his hands as he looks to escape relegation in the final weeks of the season.

Boavista face a tricky run of games that includes Farense, Sporting, AVS, Porto and Arouca, and Baxter knows that he will realistically need at least 6-8 points to work his way out of the bottom two.

Over the last few months, Boavista have struggled, plummeting down the standings after winning just twice since 9 November. They have recorded just 18 points over 29 matches, and have scored only 19 goals, the fewest in the Primeira Liga.

The addition of several new signings in February including former Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel, former PSG defender Layvin Kurzawa and former Sevilla goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik has provided some much-needed reinforcement to the squad.

The goals have been few and far between for Boavista, with Róbert Boženík and  Miguel Reisinho leading the lineup with four goals each. Ilija Vukotić and Bruno Onyemaechi are next on the list with 3 goals.

Odds

Farense 1.80, Boavista 3.40, Draw 4.35

Over 2.5 total goals: 1.95, Under 2.5 goals: 1.60

*All odds provided from Betano.pt. Odds are subject to change prior to kick off.

Form Guide (All Competitions)

Farense

Boavista:

Head-to-head Record

Farense and Boavista have met on 59 occasions in four different competitions over the years. Historically, the Porto side have held a slight advantage in this fixture, winning 23 (39.0%), drawing 18 (30.5%) and losing 18 (30.5%).

In the Primeira Liga, they have faced each other 51 times with Farense winning 13 games (58.6%), Boavista winning 20 times (14.6%) and 18 draws (26.8%).

In recent seasons, Farense have dominated the tie, winning four of the last five games and outscoring Boavista 10-3 in those matches. When the two sides met earlier this season, the game ended in a 1-1 draw at the Estádio do Bessa with Miguel Reisinho and Marco Matias both getting on the scoresheet.

Players to Watch

Goals will be essential for Boavista as they look to climb out of the bottom with a win on Sunday. It is hard to predict the new manager’s lineup but Róbert Boženík’s place in the side should be guaranteed. The Slovakian striker finished with 11 goals and two assists last season. Although he has not had the same impact this season, the forward remains Boavista’s best option at the top. Over 30 games this season, Boženík has recorded four goals and an assist.

Farense will turn to Portuguese forward Tomané as they look to secure a vital home win to move above AVS in the standings. The 32-year-old has been the danger man for the Faro club, scoring four goals in 21 appearances.