Moreirense and Estoril Praia bring their 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga campaign to an end when they square off at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on Saturday.
Having secured a comfortable 3-1 victory in January's reverse fixture, Os verdes e brancos will head into the weekend looking to complete the double over the visitors and make it four wins from four to end the campaign.
Match preview
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A resurgent Moreirense continued their strong late-season form as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Casa Pia when the two sides squared off last Sunday.
In an end-to-end affair at the Estadio Pina Manique, Goncalo Franco's 33rd-minute strike was enough to separate the two sides as Os verdes e brancos handed Casa Pia their 16th league defeat of the season.
Moreirense have now won each of their last three games, seeing off Portimonense, Vizela and Casa Pia, having picked up just one point in their previous four matches preceding this run.
This upturn in form has been owing to their solid job done at the defensive end of the pitch, where Rui Borges's men have kept three consecutive clean sheets while scoring four goals since April's 1-0 loss to Gil Vicente.
Having gained promotion from the Segunda Liga last season, Moreirense will feel more than happy with what has been a roaring return to the top flight as they sit sixth in the Primeira Liga table, six points above seventh-placed Arouca.
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Estoril Praia, on the other hand, were left empty handed for a second consecutive game as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of newly-crowned champions Sporting Lisbon last time out.
In a one-sided affair at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota, the hosts did well to repel Sporting Lisbon for most of the game, but substitute Paulinho struck in the 81st minute to hand the visitors their 28th win of the season.
With last weekend's results, Estoril Praia have now failed to win five of their last six matches — losing three and claiming two draws — with a 1-0 victory over Famalicao on April 28 being the exception.
Despite this tough run of results and what has been an underwhelming campaign as a whole, Vasco Seabra's side have guaranteed their Primeira Liga status and will look to finish the season on a high.
Estoril Praia have picked up 33 points from 33 Primeira Liga matches heading into this weekend's season finale and sit 13th in the league table, four points above 16th-placed Portimonense in the relegation playoff spot.
Team News
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Moreirense will have to cope without experienced midfielder Joao Camacho, who is suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Casa Pia last time out.
On the injury front, Senegalese defender Alhassane Sylla continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines, while 24-year-old striker Madson is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game through a muscle injury.
They are joined on Os verdes e brancos' injury table by Hernani Infande, who has been sidelined since March through a thigh injury while Carlos Ponck has missed the last three games due to a muscle problem.
As for Estoril, Scottish midfielder Jordan Holsgrove will play no part in Saturday's game as he continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a severe injury in January.
Seabra will also be unable to name experienced defender Erick Cabaco, who picked up a season-ending Achilles tendon injury last against Vizela back in September.
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Secco; Fabiano, Marcelo, Batista, Frimpong; Franco, Ofori; Antonisse, Alanzinho, Aias, Asue
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Carne; Alvaro, Basso, Vital; Gomes, Costa, Zanocelo, Pina; Marques, Cassiano, Guitane
We say: Moreirense 2-0 Estoril Praia
Moreirense have enjoyed an impressive return to the top flight and will be looking to close out the campaign on a high. Borges's men are currently firing on all cylinders having hit their stride once again and we see them coming away with all three points in front of their home supporters.
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Joshua Ojele
