Santa Clara are back in the Primeira Liga and they will get their top-flight campaign underway with a trip to Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota to face Estoril Praia on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts ended last season in 13th place with 33 points, while the visitors earned promotion at the first time of asking, winning Liga Portugal 2 with 73 points, two clear of Nacional.
Match preview
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These two sides have experienced contrasting journeys over the last few years. In the 2020-21 season when Estoril earned promotion to the Primeira Liga, Santa Clara had secured sixth place in the top flight and a spot in Europe.
Canarinhos have gone on to survive three consecutive seasons since then, finishing ninth, 14th and 13th respectively, albeit that last season they posted their lowest points tally of 33 over the period.
The club will be aiming to push closer to the top half this season and will look to do so under the leadership of former Tottenham Hotspur assistant manager Ian Cathro, who replaced Vasco Seabra over the summer break.
The Scottish manager oversaw four pre-season friendlies but has yet to taste victory, with his side drawing against Mafra, Uniao de Leiria and Vizela while losing 2-1 to Estrela at the end of last month.
Over the course of last season, Estoril had a record of six wins, seven draws and four losses, and their 28-goal tally was the sixth-best in the division.
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Meanwhile, for Santa Clara, the past few seasons have been a roller-coaster as they fell from seventh place in 2021-22 to relegation the following season before earning promotion back to the top flight last term.
Vasco Matos led the side's promotion campaign, and under his guidance the team recorded 21 wins, 10 draws and just three losses in 34 games, and ended the season unbeaten in their final six, which included four wins and two draws.
Notably, Os Acoreanos went the entire 2023-24 campaign without a single away loss in the league or cup competition, and they only conceded 19 goals which was the fewest in the competition by a sizable distance.
However, it remains to be seen if the visitors can continue in that vein now back in the big time, but a positive result here will certainly give them a huge confidence boost which is vital early in the season.
Team News
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Estoril saw the departure of Joao Marques to Braga over the summer, though they did acquire the services of Yanis Begraoui from Toulouse and the Moroccan is likely to receive his debut in this match.
Pedro Alvaro missed a few games toward the end of last season due to injury but he was present for the majority of pre-season and should start in defence alongside Eliaquim Mangala.
Santa Clara, on the other hand, brought in Matheus Pereira from Vizela and
Rodrigo Varanda from America MG on loan over the summer, and both players will be in the mix to make the starting 11.
Bruno Almeida had an excellent first season for Os Acoreanos, ending the term as the top-scorer with 15 goals, though he is flagged as a minor doubt for this match.
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Pina, Mangala, Alvaro, Amaral; Costa, Zanocelo, Orellana; Begraoui, Marques, Guitane
Santa Clara possible starting lineup:
Batista; Lima, Oliveira, Venancio; Calila, Ferreira, Firmino, Nunes; Varanda, Safira, Lopes
We say: Estoril Praia 1-0 Santa Clara
It will be interesting to see how Santa Clara start the season after an impressive Liga Portugal 2 campaign. However, Estoril were a difficult team to beat on their home patch last season and we feel they will get the new off to a winning start.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
