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

Occupying fifth place in the Primeira Liga table, Casa Pia will be hopeful of dispatching Nacional, who find themselves just outside the relegation zone in the second tier.

Match preview

Casa Pia ended an 83-year wait for top-flight football when they gained promotion from the second tier last season, and Filipe Martins's side have enjoyed a remarkable comeback campaign so far.

After starting the season among the relegation favourites, Casa Pia have exceeded all expectations up to now, and they currently find themselves fifth in the Primeira Liga standings, having won nine of their 19 league matches this term.

The Geese kicked off their Taca de Portugal campaign with 2-0 victories over Sao Martinho and Valadares Gaia before beating Vitoria de Setubal 1-0 in the previous round, meaning they have yet to concede a goal in this season's competition.

Although Casa Pia suffered a 3-0 defeat to Benfica last weekend - meaning they have now lost three of their past four league outings - Martins's men will be confident of booking their place in the semi-finals.

On the other hand, Nacional have come through four ties to reach the Taca de Portugal quarter-finals, knocking out Angrense, Oliveirense, Tondela and Rabo de Peixe along the way.

The Madeira outfit also kept three clean sheets in the process, although they were made to work hard in the third round, with Oliveirense forcing extra time before Nacional clinched a 3-1 victory to progress.

Filipe Candido's side claimed a much-needed league win against Torreense last weekend, but they remain at the wrong end of the second-tier table, having won just three of their previous 13 league matches.

Following a failed promotion push, Nacional finished sixth in last season's standings - 17 points behind second-placed Casa Pia - and they could find themselves in the third tier next term if their struggles continue.

Casa Pia Taca de Portugal form:

W

W

Casa Pia form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

W

L

Nacional Taca de Portugal form:

W

W

Nacional form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

W

Team News

Casa Pia are still without long-term injury absentee Leo Natel, with the Brazilian winger likely to miss the remainder of the campaign due to an ACL problem.

Goalkeeper Lucas Paes Souza will also miss Thursday's clash through injury, meaning Ricardo Batista should keep his place between the sticks for the hosts.

Having scored two goals in three Taca de Portugal appearances this season, Rafael Martins will lead the line for Casa Pia, with Saviour Godwin and Romario Baro offering support in attack.

As for Nacional, Carlos Daniel will aim to enhance his tally on Thursday after bagging a brace in last weekend's 3-1 victory over Torreense.

Brazilian striker Dudu has netted two goals in three Taca de Portugal outings this term, so he looks set to play a key role for visitors, who have reported no fresh injury problems ahead of the quarter-finals.

Casa Pia possible starting lineup:

Batista; Nunes, Varela, Zolotic; Soares, Taira, Cuca, Poloni; Baro, Godwin; Martins

Nacional possible starting lineup:

Encarnacao; Silva, Rafael, Vitor, De Sousa; Daniel, Danilovic, Esteves, Ze Manuel, Dudu, Witi

We say: Casa Pia 2-0 Nacional

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