Chaves vs Tondela Predictions

Nine points separate these two teams ahead of Sunday’s clash in the Primeira Liga, with Chaves sitting last in the table and their guests occupying twelfth place. Chaves are unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions, but have only scored in one of those matches, while Tondela have won their last four and have begun to distance themselves from the relegation battle.

Chaves picked up a point on the road against thirteenth placed Vitoria Setubal last Sunday, and were probably unlucky not to win the game. Chaves had 52% of the overall possession, twice as many corners, and more shots during the ninety minutes than their hosts, but could not find a way past Cristiano in the Setubal goal. A point isn’t a bad result for the bottom side, but when you are in Chaves’ position and have the better of the match you really need to be finishing off teams, because those situations don’t come round all that often.

Tondela surprised many with their 2-1 win over Sporting CP on Monday night, especially as the hosts played most of the second half with ten-men. A sixth minute strike from Delgado saw Tondela take an early lead, one they held into the interval. However, the fifty-first minute sending-off of João Jaquité looked like an open invitation for Sporting to get right back into the match, but without Dost up front the visitors lacked a finishing touch. Ten-man Tondela doubled their advantage in the seventy-fourth minute through Tómané, and it’s a good job they did as well because they pulled a goal back two minutes later through French defender Mathieu. The hosts held firm to secure a famous victory against one of Portugal’s most famous teams and extended their winning run to four games in all competitions.

When these two sides met in March the hosts Tondela ran out 2-0 winners thanks to late goals in both halves. The teams looked to be going in level at the break when Ricardo Costa opened the scoring two minutes before the break to put the hosts in front, in the seventh minute of stoppage time in the second half Tómané ended any hopes of a dramatic comeback for Chaves with a second goal for the hosts. With four wins and two defeats from their last six matches, Tondela head into Sunday’s game as the clear form favourites. Chaves have managed just one win, two draws, and three defeats from their last six matches, but do head into Sunday’s game unbeaten in their last three. Ghazaryan top scores for Chaves in the league this season with just three goals, while Tómané has five in the Primeira Liga for Tondela and is the danger man.

We’re confident that Tondela will win on Sunday, and have backed the final scoreline to read 2-0. Tondela have won two of their last three competitive matches against Chaves, and remain unbeaten against Sunday’s hosts in their last six encounters. Chaves remain bottom of the table and have lost three of their last six matches, while Tondela have won won their last four matches. Chaves have failed to score in four of their last six matches, and we’re expecting the home side to struggle against a rejuvenated Tondela this weekend.