Santa Clara set out in search of their first win of the year when they go head to head with Estoril Praia at the Estadio de Sao Miguel in round 18 of Primeira Liga on Saturday.
The Azoreans fought back from behind to secure an emphatic 4-1 victory when the two sides met in August's season opener and will look to do the league double over the visitors for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign.
Match preview
© Imago
Santa Clara were denied a dream start to the new year as they were held to a goalless draw by Farense when the two sides squared off at the Estadio de Sao Miguel two Sundays ago.
Despite seeing 69% of the ball possession and having 17 attempts at goal, the home side failed to get past an inspired Ricardo Velho between the sticks for Farense as both sides settled for a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Santa Clara snapped their run of three consecutive defeats across all competitions in their final outing of 2024 as they secured a 2-1 victory over Famalicao at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on December 31 courtesy of goals from Gabriel Silva and Sidney Lima.
Having gained promotion from the Segunda Liga last term, head coach Vasco Matos will be delighted with his side's first half of the season as they sit fifth in the Primeira Liga table with 31 points from 17 matches, only behind fourth-placed Braga in the European qualifying places on goal difference.
Santa Clara's impressive campaign has been owing to the solid job done on home turf, where they have picked up six wins and one draw from their last eight league games and boast the division's fourth-best point tally (19) — only behind the 'Big Three' of Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.
© Imago
Estoril Praia, on the other hand, kicked off the new year on a high as they secured a 4-2 victory over Estrela Amadora when the two sides squared off at the Estadio Jose Gomes on January 5.
Goals from Xeka, Yanis Begraoui and a 31st-minute own goal from Tiago Gabriel put the Canarinhos in a commanding three-goal lead heading into half time, but they needed a 76th-minute strike from Alejandro Marques to see off Estrela's second-half comeback attempt after Andre Luiz and Rodrigo Pinho reduced the deficit to one goal.
This was a much-needed result for Estoril Praia, who were on a four-game winless run, picking up two points from a possible 12, and had failed to taste victory on the road since January 2024, when they edged out Benfica on penalties in the Taca da Liga semi-finals.
Ian Cathro's men have picked up four wins from their 17 Primeira Liga matches so far while losing seven and claiming six draws to collect 18 points and sit 12th in the league table but could one into ninth-place Wien all three points this weekend.
However, Estoril Praia will need to be at their best this weekend as they go up against an opposing side whom they have failed to defeat in 12 of their last 14 meetings, losing six and claiming six draws since November 2008.
Team News
© Imago
Santa Clara will have to cope without the services of experienced defender Pedro Pacheco, who has been out of action since coming off with a severe knee injury back in May 2024.
Brazilian midfielder Matheus Araujo was forced off injured midway through the first half against Farense last time out and the 23-year-old is a major doubt for this weekend's clash.
Should he fail to shake off the injury, fellow countryman Matheus Pereira will push for his sixth league start of the campaign, teaming up with Adriano Firmino, Serginho and Diogo Calila at the centre of the park.
Meanwhile, barring any late fitness concerns, Estoril head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and no suspension issues, giving Cathro the luxury of a full strength squad at his disposal.
With his strike against Estrela, Marques now has seven goals for the Canarinhos in the league this season and the Venezuelan striker could be rewarded with a place in the XI, teaming up with Begraoui and Joao Carvalho in the front three.
Santa Clara possible starting lineup:
Batista; Lima, Ramos, Venancio; Calila, Firmino, Serginho, Pereira; Klismahn, Lopes, Silva
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Robles; Boma, Alvaro, Bacher; Pina, Xeka, Holsgrove, Garcia; Marques, Begraoui, Carvalho
We say: Santa Clara 2-1 Estoril Praia
While Sant Clara appear to have run out of steam of late, managing just one win from their last five games, they will be backing themselves to find their feet against Estoril, who have struggled to impose themselves on the road.
Matos' men have won three of the last four meetings between the two teams since April 2022 and we are tipping them to secure all three points in front of their home supporters this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
