Moreirensevs.Estrela Amadora

Having suffered a 2-1 defeat in September's reverse fixture, Os verdes e brancos will aim to get one over the visitors this weekend as they continue their push for a top-half finish.

Match preview

Moreirense were denied back-to-back league wins for the first time since October as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Famalicao when the two sides squared off last Sunday.

Following a goalless first half at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao, Oscar Aranda and Sorriso scored quick-fire goals after the break to put the Vila Nova two goals up and inspire them to their seventh league win of the campaign.

Before that, Moreirense snapped their run of eight straight matches without a win on February 15, when they held on to see off a late comeback scare and secure a nervy 3-2 victory over Casa Pia on February 15.

Cesar Peixoto's men have now lost 11 of their 23 Primeira Liga matches this season while claiming seven wins and five draws to collect 26 points and sit 11th in the league table, level on points with 11th-placed Rio Ave.

Over in Lisbon, Estrela Amadora failed to pull clear of the danger zone last Sunday as they played out a goalless draw with Santa Clara whe the two teams met at the Estadio Jose Gomes.

This followed a 1-0 victory over Boavista at the Estadio do Bessa on February 14, when Rodrigo Pinho netted the only goal of the game to snap the Tricolores' run of six consecutive league matches without a win.

Estrela Amadora have picked up just 21 points from their 23 Primeira Liga games so far to sit 15th in the league standings, one point above 16th-placed AVS in the relegation playoff spot with a third of the season to go.

While Jose Faria's men will be looking to bounce back this weekend and move four points clear of the dotted line, next up is the challenge of an opposing side who are unbeaten in five of their last six meetings, claiming three wins and two draws since November 2022.

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:

D

L

L

L

W

L

Estrela Amadora Primeira Liga form:

L

D

L

L

W

D

Team News

Moreirense will have to cope without Portuguese forward Hernani Infande, who has been out of action since picking up a severe ligament injury against Arouca back in March 2024.

He is joined on the Os verdes e brancos' injury table by 23-year-old midfielder Guilherme Liberato, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury last August.

As for Estrela, Angolan international Manuel Keliano will sit out this weekend's clash through suspension after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Santa Clara last time out.

On the injury front, Amine Oudrhiri was forced off with a 55th-minute injury in the aforementioned game and the 32-year-old is a major doubt for this weekend's clash.

Should he fail to shake off the injury, experienced midfielder Alan Ruiz will push for his 11th league start of the campaign, teaming up with Martins Travassos, Paulo Moreira and Nilton at the centre of the park.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Kewin; Pinto, Maracas, Marcelo, Buta; Alanzinho, Rodrigues, Ofori; Santos, Schettine, Benny

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:

Costa; Ferro, Lopes, Lima; Travassos, Moreira, Ruiz, Nilton; Ronaldo, Pinho, Banza

We say: Moreirense 1-0 Estrela Amadora

Estrela have picked up four points from the last six available and will be backing themselves against an out-of-sorts Moreirense side who have struggled to get going of late. However, home advantage gives Peixoto's side an added edge here and we are backing them to come out on top, albeit by the odd goal.

Written by

Joshua Ojele

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