Preview: Estoril Praia vs. Vizela - prediction, team news, lineups

The Canarinhos, on the other hand, will be looking to complete an impressive league double over the visitors, having secured a 1-0 victory in September's reverse fixture.

Match preview

Off the back of an impressive ninth-placed finish in the 2021-22 campaign, the goal for Estoril Praia would have been to secure a second consecutive top-half finish, while they could even dream of a place in Europe.

However, with 12 games to go before the end of the season, the Canarinhos currently find themselves hovering just above the relegation zone and 15 points off the final Europa Conference League qualification spot.

Estoril Praia's underwhelming campaign has been down to struggles away from home and their lack of cutting edge at the attacking end of the pitch, where they have scored just 19 goals so far.

The above were highlighted last Monday when the Lisbon outfit suffered a sixth consecutive away defeat in the league as they were beaten 2-0 by Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Estoril Praia head into the weekend on a run of three consecutive league defeats, scoring once and shipping seven goals in that time, while they have now lost six of their most recent seven outings.

With 22 points from 22 matches, Nelson Verissimo's men are currently 15th in the Primeira Liga standings, just four points above 16th-placed Maritimo in the relegation playoff spot.

Vizela, on the other hand, suffered another blow in their hunt for the European Conference League qualification places as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Benfica last Saturday.

In a one-sided affair at the Estadio do FC Vizela, Portugal international Joao Mario scored on either side of the half-time interval to hand Roger Schmidt's side their 19th win of the season.

Manuel Tulipa's men have now failed to win any of their last four matches, picking up two points from a possible 12 since January's 3-1 victory over 10-man Rio Ave.

Vizela have now picked up seven wins, five draws and lost 10 of their 22 matches to collect 26 points and sit 11th in the Primeira Liga table, level on points with Gil Vicente, Chaves and Portimonense, and 11 points off the final Europa Conference League qualification spot.

While the Vizelenses will be looking to move into the top half of the table, they are without a win in their last six away games across all competitions, losing four and claiming two draws since November's 2-0 win at Pacos de Ferreira.

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:

L

L

W

L

L

L

Vizela Primeira Liga form:

L

W

L

D

D

L

Team News

Estoril Praia will take to the pitch without the services of Brazilian defender Lucas Africo, who has been sidelined since picking up an injury in January.

Following his side's toothless display against Sporting Lisbon last time out, Verissimo could ring a few changes to the XI, with the likes of Tiago Araujo and Joao Carlos pushing for starting roles in the final third.

At the opposite end of the pitch, we expect to see an unchanged centre-back pairing of Pedro Alvaro and Edson Mexer for the fourth consecutive game, with 24-year-old Daniel Figueira starting between the sticks.

Meanwhile, Vizela defender Anderson Jesus will play no part in this weekend's clash as he serves a one-match suspension after picking up a red card against Benfica last time out.

In his absence, Ivanildo Fernandes should come into the fold for his 10th league start of the season, forming the back line with Igor Juliao, Bruno Wilson and Kiki Afonso.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Figueira; Santos, Mexer, Alvaro, Joaozinho; Gamboa, Carvalho; Gouveia, Geraldes, Guitane; Carlos

Vizela possible starting lineup:

Buntic; Juliao, Fernandes, Wilson, Afonso; Samu, Mendez, Rashid; Moreira, Osmajic, Bondoso

We say: Estoril Praia 1-1 Vizela

Estoril Praia and Vizela have struggled to hit their stride this year and will head into the weekend in search of a morale-boosting result. Both sides are evenly-matched on paper and we predict a cagey affair with the spoils being shared at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota.

Previews by email