Preview: Santa Clara vs. Maritimo - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side will also head into the weekend seeking to get one over O Maior das Ilhas after failing to win both home and away meetings between the teams last season.

Match preview

Santa Clara failed to get their new Primeira Liga campaign up and running as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Famalicao when the sides met at the Municipal Stadium Famalicao last Sunday.

In a game where Zaydou Youssouf's 20th-minute strike was enough to separate the sides, Mario Silva's side were guilty of a wasteful display in front of goal as they failed to bury several clear-cut chances.

Santa Clara have now failed to taste victory this season, losing each of their last three games since their goalless draw against newly-promoted Casa Pia in the league curtain-raiser on August 7.

Their underwhelming start to the season has been in no small part owing to their lack of sting in attack, where they are one of just four sides to score less than three goals in their opening four games of the season.

Maritimo, on the other hand, were left empty handed once again as they suffered a slender 1-0 defeat against Portimonense at the Estadio dos Barreiros last weekend.

The Madeira outfit failed to end their poor home record against the Portimao outfit as Welinton Junior struck in the 43rd minute to hand Paulo Sergio's side a third straight away victory over O Maior das Ilhas.

Maritimo have now lost their opening four games of the season, scoring just twice and shipping a staggering 13 goals — the highest number of goals conceded in the Primeira Liga this season.

Vasco Seabra's men have now failed to taste victory in each of their last eight competitive games, picking up two draws and losing six since a 4-0 win over Boavista on April 16.

While Maritimo will be looking to end this dry spell, their next task sees them go up against a Santa Clara side who are unbeaten in all but one of their 11 Primeira Liga home games since the turf of the year, picking up five wins and five draws in that time.

Santa Clara Primeira Liga form:

Santa Clara form (all competitions):

Maritimo Primeira Liga form:

Maritimo form (all competitions):

Team News

Santa Clara will be without new signing Tomas Domingos, who awaits his debut after picking up an injury while in action for Mafra in the Segunda Liga clash against Varzim back in May.

He is joined in the club's injury table by Portuguese midfielder Costinha, who continues his long road to recovery after suffering an ACL injury last August.

Meanwhile, Portuguese goalkeeper Pedro Teixeira is out of contention for Maritimo through a long-term injury, while Mozambican forward Clesio Bauque is yet to make an appearance this season due to a muscle problem.

Zainadine Junior, who started 32 of the 34 games last season, is a major doubt for O Maior das Ilhas after the 34-year-old defender was forced off injured shortly after the half-time break last weekend.

In his absence, experienced defender Fabio China could come into the starting XI, teaming with Leo, Matheus Costa and Claudio Winck in the back four, with Matous Trmal between the sticks.

Santa Clara possible starting lineup:

Pereira; Sagna, Ferreira, Boateng, Henrique; Jordao, Carvalho, Bobsin; Ricardinho, Costa, Rildo

Maritimo possible starting lineup:

Silva; Winck, Costa, China, Leo; Mendes, Sousa; Costa, Beltrame, Vidigal; Tagueu

We say: Santa Clara 1-1 Maritimo

Santa Clara and Maritimo have staggered into the new season and will head into the weekend desperate to pick up their first league victory. However, we predict that both evenly-matched sides will cancel out each other's efforts and settle for a share of the spoils.

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