Santa Clara is four positions ahead of Famalicao in the Primeira Liga standings ahead of their Monday gameweek 16 fixture at Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.
Fama come into the final match of the 2024 season without a victory in five games while the visitors have suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since promotion.
Porto were held to a 1-1 draw and Sporting Braga 3-3 by Famalicao, a ninth-placed team that was favourites to beat Farense at their stadium before Christmas but only won 2-1 against the second from the bottom contender.
Determined to get back to their victorious ways when they play on Monday following new manager Nuno Oliveira’s loss in his first match at the helm, Vila Nova hope to put an end to a poor run that started in early November last year when they first deposed promoted side AVS 3-2.
That victory was only a respite for Fama, who got one point from the next best nine; thus, Armando Evangelista was discharged.
Without a victory since Oliveira came on board, Famalicenses lie second from the bottom based on current form (jointly with Boavista) with three points from their past five Liga matches in which they have conceded eight goals in the process, a record better only by Moreirense (10) and Braga (9).
Nonetheless, the form table makes Santa Clara favorites while Fama’s record against Monday’s opponents remain encouraging for fans as their side has recorded a five victories in the last seven games against the Ponta Delgada side but the loss was recorded in the last month Taca de Portugal game.
That cup success was the second of four 1-0 wins for Vasco Matos side that had earlier eased past Sporting Lisbon and Rio Ave and although still doing well in the premier league and cup they have failed to score in their last two league matches against Arouca and Braga.
The promoted team was overtaken in the standings by the winners of the most recent rematch against Braga, but the Azoreans are hoping for a successful conclusion to 2024 in order to avoid losing three straight top-flight games for the first time since their disastrous season that culminated in relegation.
From February to April 2023, Santa Clara suffered nine consecutive defeats, which seems unthinkable for the high-flying fifth-place team making a comeback to the major leagues.
The away team's ambition to end 2024 strongly at Fama is highlighted by the fact that a season that started off impressively is in danger of losing steam.
The right-winger versus Santa Clara is out after Gil Dias acquired his fifth booking of the season in the defeat to Farense; Sorriso may take his place on Monday.
Famalicao has a number of players who can step up and take charge, even though they will miss Dias's joint-high goal total of five. Oscar Aranda (five), Sorriso, Gustavo Sa, and Mario Gonzalez (four apiece) might all be used in different ways on Monday.
Diogo Calila is anticipated to replace Lucas Soares, who was dismissed after 22 minutes against Braga and will not play in the away team's last 2024 match.
Pedro Pacheco (knee) and Ricardinho (muscle), who did not appear to have been hurt in the Braga defeat, will not play for Os Acorianos in gameweek 16.
