Moreirensevs.Estrela Amadora

The hosts are 14 points off fourth position while the visitors are looking to increase the gap between them and the sides in the relegation zone.

Match preview

Moreirense's hopes of European qualification were dented after a 1-0 defeat to Vitoria de Guimaraes last Saturday.

Jota Silva's 68th-minute strike proved decisive as the Green and Whites slumped to their ninth Primeira Liga defeat of the season.

Rui Borges's men have now lost consecutive away matches and sit sixth in the table with 42 points after 27 games, 14 points adrift of the Conference League qualification spot.

Moreirense's biggest problem this campaign has been their lack of attacking creativity. With only 28 goals scored, they boast the weakest attack in the top six, trailing Guimaraes (42 goals), who are closest to them, by 14.

However, Borges's side have been solid at home recently, winning three, drawing one, and losing just one of their last five outings at the Estadio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas. They will be aiming to extend their unbeaten home run to three games when they host Estrela Amadora on Sunday.

The Green and Whites will also look to maintain their perfect record against the Tricolores, having met them four times previously, winning three encounters and drawing one.

Estrela Amadora's survival hopes were dealt a blow after a 2-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon last time out. The Tricolores now sit precariously in 15th place with 26 points from their 27 matches, just three points above the relegation playoff spot with seven games remaining.

They face a crucial away trip this weekend, having won just one game on the road all season (D6, L6) - a narrow 1-0 victory over Casa Pia back in October. Estrela Amadora are winless in their last nine away league matches, drawing four and losing five.

With the season entering its final stages, Sergio Vieira's side desperately need to find a way to pick up points away from home to secure their top-flight status for another season.

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:

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W

D

L

W

L

Estrela Amadora Primeira Liga form:

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D

L

W

D

L

Team News

Hernani Infande was forced off injured inside the first half against Arouca and the 22-year-old forward will miss his second game in a row for Moreirense.

In his absence, South African forward Kobamelo Kodisang will remain in the XI, providing support for Brazilian striker Vinicius Mingotti alongside Joao Camacho and Alan.

Twenty-two-year-old forward Jeremy Antonisse has missed each of Os verdes e brancos' last five matches through a muscle problem and will also play no part in Saturday's game.

Estrela Amadora have a clean bill of health heading into this clash, while they also have no player suspended.

A front three of Kikas, Leonel Bucca and Leo Jaba should take to the pitch again as the Tricolores line up in a 3-4-3.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Kewin; Silva, Maracas, Ponck, Frimpong; Ofori, Franco; Camacho, Alan, Kodisang; Mingotti

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:

Bruno; Fonseca, Gaspar, Lopes; Lima, Cordeiro, Souza, Nanu; Bucca, Kikas, Jaba

We say: Moreirense 2-0 Estrela Amadora

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