Estoril Praia will look to deliver the perfect response to last weekend's setback when they host relegation-threatened SC Farense in round 25 of the Primeira Liga.
The Canaries head into this encounter on the back of a 3-1 defeat away to Sporting Lisbon on Monday, marking their first loss of 2025.
Match preview
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Estoril approached the clash against Sporting in the best possible form, having gone unbeaten in their previous eight matches – six wins and two draws – stretching back to December 28, and with such momentum, they would have fancied their chances of securing a better outcome but were undone by a sluggish start.
Ian Cathro's men found themselves trailing just five minutes into the contest following a Goncalo Inacio strike, and the hosts doubled their advantage 10 minutes before half-time, though Goncalo Costa's 84th-minute effort ignited hopes of a late fightback, only for those aspirations to be quashed when Viktor Gyokeres converted a stoppage-time penalty to seal his brace and put the game to bed.
Despite the loss, Cathro can take solace in the impressive upturn in form his side has enjoyed and will not be too disheartened given they were outclassed by a superior opponent who currently leads the table and boasts a formidable home record.
Before their unbeaten run, Estoril had managed just three wins from 16 league outings, collecting only 14 points in that stretch, but their resurgence has propelled them to eighth place with 34 points, putting the Estorilistas in a far healthier position in the standings.
Eager to continue their climb, the Canaries can be confident of securing maximum points on Saturday, especially with their latest home meeting against Farense ending in an emphatic 4-0 triumph last term – the only top-flight encounter between the sides at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota.
Recent form at home further strengthens Estoril's case, having won three of their last four league matches on their turf while remaining unbeaten in that run.
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For Farense, a trip to Antonio Coimbra with their current struggles is far from ideal, considering the visitors have now gone 10 matches without a victory across all competitions and nine in the league, with just four draws to show for their efforts.
Their latest setback came in a 1-0 home defeat to AVS, leaving them 17th, having managed just 16 points, six adrift of safety.
Farense's woes this season stem largely from their lack of firepower in the final third, with their tally of 15 goals making them the joint-worst attacking side in the division – a problem Toze Marreco must address if his side is to stand any chance against an Estoril team that has struck in each of their last nine outings, amassing 18 in that span.
However, despite their overall struggles, the visitors have been resilient on their travels, with a 3-1 loss at Sporting being their only defeat in the last seven away league matches — a run that includes five draws and a solitary victory, which remains their only three-point haul in 12 road outings this term.
A win this weekend would see Farense complete their first-ever top-flight double over Estoril, having claimed a 1-0 win in the reverse fixture last October, a result they will be desperate to replicate given how crucial three points would be in their fight for survival.
Team News
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Estoril approach this clash with a clean bill of health, though they will be without Joao Carvalho, who serves a suspension following his late red card against Sporting, while Xeka also misses out after accumulating one too many bookings in the same match.
Carvalho's absence is likely to prompt a reshuffle in attack, potentially seeing Yanis Begraoui shift to the flanks while Andre Lacximicant returns to lead the line, with Rafik Guitane expected to provide support from the opposite side.
In midfield, Xeka's suspension paves the way for Vinicius Zanocelo, who will fill in for the second time in three matches.
For Farense, 33-year-old midfielder Neto remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury that has kept him out since early January.
Elves Balde and Marco Matias could be handed starting roles in attack should Marreco opt for changes, with both players offering width and support for Tomane, who is likely to retain his place as the central striker.
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Robles; Boma, Pedro Alvaro, Bacher; Amaral, Holsgrove, Zanocelo, Pina; Guitane, Lacximicant, Begraoui
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Robles; Boma, Pedro Alvaro, Bacher; Amaral, Holsgrove, Zanocelo, Pina; Guitane, Lacximicant, Begraoui
We say: Estoril Praia 2-0 SC Farense
Farense may have been tough to break down of late, but their blunt attack leaves them ill-equipped to go toe-to-toe with an Estoril side that has been relentless in front of goal, making anything other than a home win unlikely.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
