Seeking to pick up back-to-back home wins for the first time since February, Estrela Amadora welcome Moreirense to the Estadio Jose Gomes in round 11 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday.
Os verdes e brancos, meanwhile, head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last five league outings and will be looking to strengthen their position in the top half of the table.
Match preview
© Reuters
Estrela Amadora were sent crashing back to earth on Monday as they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Sporting Lisbon when the sides squared off at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Having trailed at half time courtesy of Daniel Braganca's 33rd-minute strike, Leo Jaba and Kikas scored in a five-minute spell to turn the game on its head, but English forward Marcus Edwards scored one and set up another to restore the Leoes' lead and hand them their ninth win in 10 league matches.
Prior to that, Estrela were on a three-game winning streak across all competitions, claiming two victories in the Primeira Liga and a 1-0 win over amateur side Vila Mea in the third round of the Taca de Portugal on October 21.
Sergio Vieira's men have now lost five of their opening 10 league matches while claiming two wins and three draws to collect 11 points and sit ninth in the table, level on points with 10th-placed Portimonense.
While Estrela will be looking to bounce back this weekend, next up is the challenge of an opposing side who they have failed to get the better of in their previous three encounters, losing twice and claiming one draw since November 2022.
© Reuters
Moreirense, on the other hand, continued their surge into the upper echelons of the Primeira Liga standings as they picked up a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Portimonense on Monday.
Following a goalless first half at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, Brazilian striker Andre Luis came up clutch for the hosts as he netted the winner in the 76th minute to hand the visitors their third defeat of the season.
Rui Borges's men have now gone five consecutive games without a defeat in the league, picking up four wins and one draw since a 3-0 loss at the hands of Sporting Lisbon on August 17.
However, Os verdes e brancos did crash out of the Taca de Portugal in that time, suffering a somewhat disappointing 2-1 loss against Campeonato de Portugal outfit Paredes in the third round on October 21.
Making their return to the top flight since their relegation two seasons ago, Moreirense have managed just one win in their opening five games, but their recent upturn in form has seen them rise to sixth place in the Primeira Liga standings, three points off the top-four places.
Team News
© Reuters
Estrela Amadora will take to the pitch without the services of Brazilian goalkeeper Bruno Brigido, who has missed the last four matches after picking up a muscle injury back in September.
Jaba was involved in both goals in Monday's defeat to Sporting Lisbon and the 25-year-old striker, who has four goal involvements in his last five matches, should lead the hosts' attack once again.
Meanwhile, Moreirense remain without the services of Portuguese forward Hernani Infande, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after coming off injured back in May.
He is joined on Os verdes e brancos' injury table by fellow countryman Joao Camacho, who is set to sit out his third consecutive game after picking up an injury in the defeat against Paredes on October 21.
Dinis Pinto has been out of action since coming off injured against Famalicao in August, while Senegalese full-back Alhassane Sylla is yet to feature for Moreirense this year due to a severe injury.
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Filipe; Otieno, Mansur, Gaspar; Santos, Souza, Emanuel, Lopes; Martins, Kikas, Jaba
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Fabiano, Maracas, Marcelo, Amador; Franco, Ofori; Madson, Alanzinho, Kodisang; Luis
We say: Estrela Amadora 1-1 Moreirense
Despite the full-time result, Estrela showed their mettle against a star-studded Sporting Lisbon side and will look to build on that result. However, they take on an in-form Moreirense side who have been defensively solid this season. That said, we predict that both sides will cancel out each other's efforts and settle for a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
