Seeking to pick up back-to-back Primeira Liga victories for the first time since March, Estoril Praia play host to Casa Pia at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Sunday.
Born sides, who are level on points in the bottom half of the league standings, will head into the weekend looking to get the better of each other and return to winning ways.
Match preview
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Estoril Praia had to do it the hard way last Friday as they fought back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Braga when the two sides squared off at the Estadio Braga Municipal.
Bruma continued his fine form in front of goal as he netted twice to put Braga two goals up heading into the final 30 minutes but goals from Alejandro Marques and Goncalo Costa helped the visitors snatch a point.
While head coach Ian Cathro will be impressed with his fires resilient performance at Braga, they have now failed to win any of their last 16 competitive games on the road, losing nine and picking up seven draws since a penalty-shootout victory over Benfica on January 24.
Estoril Praia now return home, where they have won two of their most recent three matches — with a goalless draw against AVS on November 9 sandwiched between the two victories — and are unbeaten in five of their last six games since late August.
The Canarinhos have picked up 14 points from their 13 Primeira Liga games so far to sit 11th in the league standings, level on points with Sunday's visitors and five above the relegation places.
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Casa Pia, on the other hand, were left spitting feathers last weekend when they were held to a goalless draw by newcomers AVS at the Estadio Pina Manique.
Joao Goulart drilled home the opener from the centre of the box in the 12th minute to hand the hosts a dream start to the game but Gustavo Assuncao converted his 72nd-minute penalty to force a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Casa Pia were on a five-game unbeaten run across all competitions — including back-to-back Taca de Portugal victories over Amora FC and Chaves — before suffering a 2-0 defeat against Porto in the league clash on December 2.
With last weekend's results against AVS, Joao Pereira's men have failed to win all but one of their most recent eight Primeira Liga outings, losing twice and picking up five draws since mid November.
Next up for Casa Pia is the stern challenge of taking on an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in any of their previous eight clashes, losing five and picking up three draws since August 2019.
Team News
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With his strike against Braga, Marques now has three goals in his last five league matches, having managed just two from the first eight games to start the campaign, and we expect the 24-year-old to lead the hosts' attack once again.
He should team up with Yanis Begraoui and Joao Carvalho in the front three while we expect an unchanged midfield of Wagner Pina, Jandro Orellana, Jordan Holsgrove and 23-year-old Fabricio Garcia.
At the defensive end of the pitch, Cathro should stick with the back three of Kevin Boma, Pedro Alvaro and Felix Bacher, with former Atletico Madrid man Joel Robles starting between the sticks once again.
Like this weekend's hosts, Casa Pia head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Pereira the luxury of a full strength squad at his disposal.
Goulart opened his account for Casa Pia with his strike against AVS last time out and the 24-year-old should retain his role in the back three, teaming up with Duplexe Tchamba and Ruben Kluivert.
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Robles; Boma, Alvaro, Bacher; Pina, Orellana, Holsgrove, Garcia; Begraoui, Carvalho, Marques
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Sequeira; Goulart, Kluivert, Tchamba; Larrazabal, Segovia, Brito, Lelo; Livolant, Cassiano, Pereira
We say: Estoril Praia 2-1 Casa Pia
While Casa Pia will be looking to return to winning ways, results against Estoril offer little optimism as they have failed to win any of their previous eight encounters. The Canarinhos have been rock-solid at home in recent weeks and we fancy them to secure all three points here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
