Farense
- Farense’s André Candeias produced a moment of magic to give Farense a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead in their promotion/relegation play-off in Faro.
- The midfield magician’s exquisite heel-flick winner was the difference between the sides in a cagey affair in which Farense stuck to their game plan and restricted Belenenses’ attacking players.
- Os Leões da Meia-Praia finished in 16th place in Liga Portugal 2 with 40 points, just enough to earn them a crack at avoiding relegation in this play-off and Jorge Silas’ men will be desperate not to drop into Liga 3.
- Farense are versatile enough to play with either three or four at the back and use the midfield to win the key second-ball battles in the center of the park.
- With the ball, they are patient and will press at the right times and this should be a game of cat and mouse.
Belenenses
- Belenenses are desperate to return to the Second League and Gonçalo Brandão’s men have given themselves a fighting chance by finishing the Liga 3 promotion phase with a flourish.
- The hosts finished 3rd with 26 points.
- Belenenses have won two, drawn two and lost one in their last five outings, however, and need to overcome that 1-0 deficit here at Restelo.
- Belenenses are more direct and like to build slowly with the 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 system, which is perfect for the fact they need to play with some attacking intent.
- Brandão’s side were the best attacking side in the promotion group, but need to find another gear in this second leg and with the home crowd behind them, it could be a cauldron of an atmosphere on Saturday.
Players to watch
- Candeias is the main man to watch after his magic trick in the first leg, but Belenenses’ João Gastão should be on a high after his stoppage-time winner in the last promotion round and will again lead the line for his side in this must-win leg.
- Farense’s creative duo of Leonardo Oliveira and Marco Matias will give them some bite in wide areas and their possession game will give them plenty of chances to combine, while Diogo Leitão and Bruninho have also found the net recently for Belenenses, who have the experience of Wilson Eduardo to bring off the bench if needed.
- Farense’s Brian Araújo has been a solid presence in goal all season, notching several clean sheets and making crucial saves to keep his side in tight games.
Betting Insights
The bookies are in agreement that Farense can nick the game here at 2.25 , but that’s too short a price with Belenenses a shade above evens at 2.9 and the draw at 3.0 .
Prediction
Hosts to edge it - We’ll take the hosts to edge it, but this is a tight tie and it will be a low-scoring game at best with under 2.5 goals coming in at 1.65 .
