Santa Claravs.Casa Pia

While the home side will be looking to secure just their second win since mid-December, Os Gansos head into the weekend as one of the most in-form sides in the division and will be looking to continue their surge into the European qualification places.

Match preview

Santa Clara turned in a resilient team display last weekend as they held firm to see out a 1-1 stalemate against Porto when the two sides squared off at the Estadio do Dragao.

Despite seeing just 22% of the ball possession and finishing with one man down, Santa Clara drew first blood through Gabriel Silva in the 33rd minute but Otavio netted with 14 minutes left in the game to hand Porto a share of the spoils.

While head coach Vasco Matos will take pride in his side's display against a superior Porto side, they have now failed to taste victory in three consecutive games and have managed just one victory from their last seven outings since, having won the four preceding this run.

This slump in form has Os Acorianos crash out of the Taca de Portugal courtesy of a 2-1 extra-time defeat against Sporting Lisbon on December 18, when Conrad Harder and Viktor Gyokeres netted to hand the Leoes a hard-fought victory.

Santa Clara have lost seven of their 19 Primeira Liga matches this season while claiming 10 wins and two draws to collect 32 points and sit fifth in the league standings, two points and one place above this weekend's visitors.

Casa Pia, on the other hand, turned in a performance of the highest quality last Saturday when they fought back from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over title chasers Benfica at the Estadio Pina Manique.

Angel Di Maria opened the scoring from the penalty spot to hand Benfica a 14th-minute lead but Os Gansos soon upped the ante as Cassiano, Nuno Moreira and Jeremy Livolant all found the back of the net to turn the game on its head.

Joao Pereira's men have now gone seven back-to-back matches without defeat in the Primeira Liga, picking up five wins and two draws since suffering a 2-0 defeat against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on December 2.

Having managed just one win from the eight matches preceding this run, Casa Pia's turnaround has been owing to the solid job done in attack, where they have scored 15 goals in their last seven games while allowing seven at the opposite end of the pitch.

Santa Clara Primeira Liga form:

L

L

W

D

L

D

Santa Clara form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

L

D

Casa Pia Primeira Liga form:

W

W

W

D

W

W

Casa Pia form (all competitions):

W

W

D

L

W

W

Team News

Santa Clara will have to cope without the services of Brazilian defender Matheus Pereira, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card against Porto last time out.

In his absence, former Vitoria de Guimaraes man Frederico Venancio should come into the fold, forming the back three with Sidney Lima and 38-year-old Luis Rocha.

On the injury front, Santa Clara remain without the services of Pedro Pacheco, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines, having suffered a knee injury back in August.

Casa Pia, on the other hand, will take to the pitch without midfielder Andrian Kraev, who is suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Benfica last time out.

Claudio Mendes is yet to make an appearance this season after sustaining a knee injury last May while fellow attacker Kiki Afonso continues his long road to full fitness after coming off injured in the game against Mafra in August.

Santa Clara possible starting lineup:

Batista; Lima, Rocha, Venancio; Calila, Ferreira, Firmino, Soares; Lopes, Klismahn, Silva

Casa Pia possible starting lineup:

Sequeira; Goulart, Fonte, Tchamba; Larrazabal, Mukendi, Brito, Lelo; Livolant, Cassiano, Moreira

We say: Santa Clara 1-3 Casa Pia

Casa Pia have turned a corner in recent weeks and will be backing themselves against a Santa Clara side who have struggled for consistency. Os Gansos appear to have clicked at the attacking end of the pitch and we are backing them to outscore the home side this weekend.

Written by

Joshua Ojele

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