Aiming to arrest their underwhelming Primeira Liga results before Christmas, Estoril Praia and Moreirense clash at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Saturday, keen to notch important victories in the gameweek 16 encounter.
Both clubs have lost two matches on the trot heading into their final fixtures this year, with the hosts recently going down to Lisbon rivals Benfica (3-0) and Porto inflicting a three-goal defeat on the Minho outfit.
Match preview
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Eight consecutive losses at Benfica became nine on 23 December, as the Canaries could not prevent Bruno Lage's men from moving to the top of the table before Christmas.
That defeat extended the Lisbon outfit's winless streak to three matches (two losses), although the club's sole point during the ongoing run saw them secure a 2-2 draw at Braga despite trailing by two goals.
Nevertheless, one league win in the previous five places Ian Cathro's men fifth-bottom in the form table before their concluding match of 2024.
Suffering a third consecutive Liga loss against their eighth-placed opponents could result in the hosts (14 points) slipping into the relegation play-off spot if Boavista (12 points) stun title-contending Porto or second-bottom Farense (12) beat Vitoria Guimaraes.
Having twice had the better of their opponents in 2024, doing the double over Moreirense last term with 3-1 and 2-1 victories, Cathro hopes for more of the same to avoid sweating about his team heading into the New Year.
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It remains to be seen if Canarinhos will claim a third win on the trot over their Minho-based opponents, who enter Saturday's match following two losses against Nacional (1-0) and Porto (3-0).
Despite the ongoing run of three Liga losses in their previous four matches, Cesar Peixoto will point to the club's only win this month — a 2-1 league win over defending champions Sporting Lisbon — and November 24's Taca de Portugal success over Porto (2-1) as evidence of his side's capabilities when the application levels are fitting.
Winning just two of their preceding five Liga matches (three losses) might paint a different picture, but the Green and Whites have seldom been embarrassed in those losses, as evidenced by falling 3-2 at Rio Ave and 1-0 to Nacional.
The 3-0 reverse to Porto was the first time Moreirense have lost by more than two goals in the Liga since September (3-1 loss at Casa Pia), and the club, ranked 11th in the form table (six points from 15), aim to return to winning ways this weekend.
However, losing their last three matches on the road might be a portent for the visitors, who aim to prevent a third consecutive defeat against Estoril in 2024.
Team News
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Estoril suffered no apparent new injuries in the Benfica loss, leaving Pedro Amaral and Xeka as Cathro's absent players on Saturday.
Although the Canaries had netted in four of their previous five visits to the title contenders, Alejandro Marques (five goals), Joao Carvalho and Wagner Pina (two each) could not keep that run going for the Lisbon outfit in the 3-0 loss; the trio hope to contribute positively against this weekend's opponents.
Although Moreirense came through the Porto loss unscathed, Ruben Ramos Ismael will serve a one-match suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card against the Dragons; also absent are long-term absentee Guilherme Liberato (knee) and Hernani Infande (ankle).
While Luis Asue (four goals) remains the away side's leading goalscorer, Guilherme Schettine is anticipated to start at centre-forward, aiming to add to his three Liga strikes.
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Robles; Boma, Alvaro, Bacher; Pina, Zanocelo, Holsgrove, Garcia; Carvalho, Marques, Costa
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Pinto, Marcelo, Maracas, Frimpong; Tavares, Ofori; Gabrielzinho, Alan, Martins; Schettine
We say: Estoril Praia 2-1 Moreirense
Moreirense are one of three Primeira Liga teams (along with Santa Clara and Rio Ave) yet to pick up a road draw, and that pattern of a winner emerging in away fixtures should continue.
However, the outcome could favour Estoril, who have won two of their previous four matches on home soil (one loss) and aim to snap a losing run against their Minho visitors to inflict a fourth consecutive road defeat on Peixoto's men.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
