Preview: Estoril Praia vs. Moreirense - prediction, team news, lineups

Aiming to apprehension their underwhelming Primeira Liga results earlier Christmas, Estoril Praia and Moreirense clash astatine Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota connected Saturday, keen to notch important victories successful the gameweek 16 encounter.

Both clubs person mislaid 2 matches connected the trot heading into their last fixtures this year, with the hosts precocious losing astatine Lisbon rivals Benfica (3-0) and Porto inflicting a three-goal nonaccomplishment connected the Minho outfit.

Match preview

© Imago

Eight consecutive losses astatine Benfica became 9 connected 23 December, arsenic the Canaries could not forestall Bruno Lage's men from moving to the apical of the array earlier Christmas.

That decision extended the Lisbon outfit's winless streak to 3 matches (two losses), though the club's sole constituent during the ongoing tally saw them unafraid a 2-2 gully astatine Braga contempt trailing by 2 goals.

Nevertheless, 1 league triumph successful the erstwhile 5 places Ian Cathro's men fifth-bottom successful the signifier array earlier their concluding lucifer of 2024.

Suffering a 3rd consecutive Liga nonaccomplishment against their eighth-placed opponents could effect successful the hosts (14 points) slipping into the relegation play-off spot if Boavista (12 points) stun title-contending Porto oregon second-bottom Farense (12) bushed Vitoria Guimaraes.

Having doubly had the amended of their opponents successful 2024, doing the treble implicit Moreirense past word with 3-1 and 2-1 victories, Cathro hopes for much of the aforesaid to debar sweating astir his squad heading into the caller year.

© Imago

It remains to beryllium seen if Canarinhos volition assertion a 3rd triumph connected the trot implicit their Minho-based opponents, who participate Saturday's lucifer pursuing 2 losses against Nacional (1-0) and Porto (3-0).

Despite the ongoing tally of 3 Liga losses successful their erstwhile 4 matches, Cesar Peixoto volition constituent to the club's lone triumph this period — a 2-1 league triumph implicit defending champions Sporting Lisbon — and 24 November's Taca de Portugal occurrence implicit Porto (2-1) arsenic grounds of his side's capabilities erstwhile the exertion levels are fitting.

Winning conscionable 2 of their preceding 5 Liga matches (three losses) mightiness overgarment a antithetic picture, but the Green and Whites person seldom been embarrassed successful those losses, arsenic evidenced by falling 3-2 astatine Rio Ave and 1-0 to Nacional.

The 3-0 reverse to Porto was the archetypal clip Moreirense person mislaid by much than 2 goals successful the Liga since September (3-1 nonaccomplishment astatine Casa Pia), and the club, ranked 11th successful the signifier array (six points from 15), purpose to instrumentality to winning ways this weekend.

However, losing their past 3 matches connected the roadworthy mightiness beryllium a portent for the visitors, who purpose to forestall a 3rd consecutive decision against Estoril successful 2024.

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:

Moreirense signifier (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Estoril suffered nary evident caller injuries successful the Benfica loss, leaving Pedro Amaral and Xeka arsenic Cathro's absent players connected Saturday.

Although the Canaries had netted successful 4 of their erstwhile 5 visits to the rubric contenders, Alejandro Marques (five goals), Joao Carvalho and Wagner Pina (two each) could not support that tally going for the Lisbon outfit successful the 3-0 loss; the trio anticipation to lend positively against this weekend's opponents.

Although Moreirense came done the Porto nonaccomplishment unscathed, Ruben Ramos Ismael volition service a one-match suspension aft picking up his 5th yellowish paper against the Dragons; besides absent are semipermanent absentee Guilherme Liberato (knee) and Hernani Infande (ankle).

While Luis Asue (four goals) remains the distant side's starring goalscorer, Guilherme Schettine is anticipated to commencement astatine centre-forward, aiming to adhd to his 3 Liga strikes.

Estoril Praia imaginable starting lineup:
Robles; Boma, Alvaro, Bacher; Pina, Zanocelo, Holsgrove, Garcia; Carvalho, Marques, Costa

We say: Estoril Praia 2-1 Moreirense

Moreirense are 1 of 3 Primeira Liga teams (along with Santa Clara and Rio Ave) yet to prime up a roadworthy draw, and that signifier of a victor emerging successful distant fixtures should continue.

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