Preview: Casa Pia vs. Estrela Amadora - prediction, team news, lineups

Sergio Vieira's men, who have had a turbulent start to life in the top flight, are currently on a four-game winless run and will head into the weekend in search of pick-me-up.

Match preview

Casa Pia were sent crashing back to earth last Monday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Gil Vicente when the sides squared off at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.

In a game where Pablo Roberto received his marching orders, Ze Carlos and 23-year-old forward Depu scored second-half goals to hand the Gilistas their league victory of the season.

This followed a 2-1 victory over Nacional in their Taca da Liga Group A curtain-raiser on September 28 thanks to second-half goals from Felippe Cardoso and Clayton.

Prior to Monday's defeat, Filipe Martins's men were also unbeaten in each of their previous four Primeira Liga matches, picking up three draws and one win in that time.

With nine points from their seven league matches this season, Casa Pia are currently 10th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with ninth-placed Gil Vicente.

While Os Gansos will be looking to return to winning ways, they have struggled for results at home, where they are without a win in seven league matches, losing three and picking up four draws since March's 2-0 victory over Maritimo.

Estrela Amadora, on the other hand, continue to struggle in the top flight as they suffered a 4-2 defeat against Braga when the sides met at the Estadio Jose Gomes.

Despite second-half efforts from Kikas and Jean Felipe, Estrela were left empty handed as goals from Ricardo Horta, Simon Banza and a brace from Alvaro Djalo saw Braga ease to all three points.

Vieira's men have now gone four consecutive games without a win, losing twice and picking up two draws since picking up a 2-1 victory over Estoril Praia on August 25.

Estrela, who beat Maritimo in the Primeira Liga promotion playoff back in June, have now lost four of their opening seven matches while claiming two draws and one win to collect five points and sit 15th in the league table.

Casa Pia Primeira Liga form:

L

D

D

W

D

L

Casa Pia form (all competitions):

D

D

W

D

W

L

Estrela Amadora Primeira Liga form:

L

W

D

L

D

L

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Team News

Casa Pia will take to the pitch without 23-year-old midfielder Roberto, who is currently on a one-match suspension following his sending-off against Gil Vicente last time out.

On the injury front, Os Gansos lost Fernando Andrade to a game-ending injury inside the opening 19 minutes against the Gilistas and the Brazilian forward is a major doubt for Sunday's tie.

He is joined on the club's injury table by the Portuguese duo of Kiki Silva and midfielder Rafael Brito, who both continue their spells on the sidelines through muscle injuries.

Mansur should return to the Estrela XI this weekend, having missed the game against Braga last time out through a one-game suspension after picking up a red card against Chaves on September 24.

Twenty-six-year-old midfielder Vito has missed each of the visitors' last five matches after picking up an injury in August and will play no part in Sunday's game.

Casa Pia possible starting lineup:

Batista; Varela, Fernandes, Zolotic; Larrazabal, Neto, Mukendi, Lelo; Justo, Clayton, Andrade

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:

Brigido; Otieno, Mansur, Gaspar; Santos, Souza, Cordeiro, Reis; Martins, Tavares, Jaba

We say: Casa Pia 2-1 Estrela Amadora

Estrela Amadora have endured a rough start to the season and will need to show their mettle this weekend as they look to get their season back on track. Despite Casa Pia's struggles at home, they boast the firepower needed to get this one over the line, and we are backing them to pick up a narrow victory this weekend.

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