Two sides struggling at the bottom of the Primeira Liga table are set to come together on Sunday afternoon when Estrela Amadora host Nacional at Estadio Jose Gomes.
The hosts are 17th in the table with just six points from their first 10 games, while the visitors are 15th in the standings with eight points from their opening nine fixtures.
Match preview
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Estrela Amadora were founded in 2020 after a merger between Clube Desportivo Estrela and Club Sintra Football, and they have enjoyed a superb run to the top division of Portuguese football in the following years.
The Tricolours secured promotion from the third tier of Portuguese football in their first campaign in 2020-21, and they spent just two years in the second tier before being promoted into the top division, finishing 14th in the first year before placing third and winning the promotion playoff in 2022-23.
They narrowly survived in the Primeira Liga in their first season in the top flight in 2023-24, placing 14th in the table after 34 matches with 33 points, just a point above 16th-placed Portimonense in the relegation playoff place.
However, they have endured a slightly less successful opening to this term, sitting 17th in the tale with just six points after 10 fixtures, recording only one win, three draws and six defeats.
A victory in this game could prove crucial in their efforts to extend their stay in the top flight for another year, as three points would see them leapfrog Sunday's opponents in the table.
Nacional come into this match sitting 15th in the standings, just a point above 16th-placed Arouca and two points above Estrela Amadora, leaving them also aiming to secure the win to put distance between themselves and the drop zone.
The visitors secured their promotion into the division for the first time since their relegation in 2020-21 last year, finishing second in the Liga Portugal 2 with 71 points from 34 outings, just two points behind the eventual champions.
They faced a challenging opening to the 2024-25 season, winning just one of their opening 10 matches across all competitions, two draws and seven defeats in that time.
Tiago Margarido, who has been in charge since July 2023, did guide his side to a first victory since early September last time out, as they fantastically defeated sixth-placed Santa Clara.
Now looking to build on that result with a second consecutive win, Nacional will need to secure their first away victory of the league campaign against fellow relegation rivals Estrela Amadora.
Team News
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Estrela Amadora could be without captain Leo Cordeiro and Issiar Drame for this match after the pair were forced off with injuries in their heavy 5-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon last time out.
Rodrigo Pinho scored his second goal of the season in that match, and the striker is expected to lead the line once again for the hosts here.
As for the visitors, Nigel Thomas is a doubt for this game after the forward was taken off in the 65th minute of their win against Santa Clara in their last match, meaning Dudu could start here.
Elsewhere, having recorded just their second win of the season, Margarido could opt to name the same starting lineup here, with goalscorers Isaac and Ruben Macedo continuing in attack.
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Brigido; Veiga, Ferro, Cissokho, Lima, Varela; Bucca, Moreira, Nani, Cabral; Pinho
Nacional possible starting lineup:
Franca; Garcia, Ulisses, Vitor, Gomes; Penha, Dias, Esteves; Dudu, Isaac, Macedo
We say: Estrela Amadora 1-2 Nacional
The hosts suffered a humiliating 5-1 loss last time out, while the visitors will be high on confidence following their 2-0 win, and we expect that to help Nacional secure another win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
