Alverca vs. Estrela Amadora – News and Probable Lineups

In search of their first point in the 2026-27 Primeira Liga season, Alverca play host to Estrela Amadora at Complexo Desportivo FC Alverca this Saturday for the second match of the round.

The hosts from Ribatejo come into this fixture after a 2-0 loss away against Porto in their opening match, while the visitors from Reboleira managed a 2-2 draw against Sporting Lisbon to start their campaign.

Match overview

Similar to last season, which marked their return to the Primeira Liga after more than twenty years in lower divisions, Alverca again faced defeat in their first match, with the loss against defending champions Porto attributed to a lack of discipline on the pitch.

Both penalties that resulted in goals during that match were awarded in the first half, with the Ribatejo side failing to capitalize on their chances, despite taking 15 shots (five on target), six more than their rivals, and squandering three significant opportunities.

Consequently, Alverca has not secured a victory in their last four Primeira Liga matches, rounding off the last season with a three-game winless streak. Finishing 11th in the league standings deserves commendation for a team that had only recently been promoted at the beginning of the 2025-26 season.

Following the departure of former manager Castro in the summer, Sergio Ferreira has taken charge and can at least draw some confidence from his team’s tenacious performance against Porto in his first competitive match as head coach, as he aims to steer them towards a positive outcome this weekend.

Supporters of the Ribatejo team have reasons for optimism, having seen their side gather two-thirds of last season’s total of 39 points while playing at home, and they hope that this record will hold up on Saturday during their first league match of the new season at their home ground.

Like their opponents, Estrela are also under new management. Pepa’s inaugural competitive match in charge ended on a positive note as his team came back from two goals down to secure a point against Sporting.

In a match that saw crucial events unfold after halftime, the Tricolores fell behind with goals from Rodrigo Zalazar and Fotis Ioannidis, but Leandro Antonetti scored in the 73rd minute to reduce the deficit before Rui Silva’s own goal in the 84th minute completed the comeback.

This result indicates that Estrela remains unbeaten in their last three league games, having also finished the previous season with two draws to place 15th and avoid the relegation playoffs, thanks to a superior head-to-head record over Casa Pia, who finished in 16th place.

Nonetheless, since their 4-0 win over Casa Pia on March 20, the Tricolores have not claimed victory in their last eight league matches (D3, L5), a streak they will be keen to end this weekend.

While the two encounters last season against Alverca ended in draws, Estrela has managed to remain unbeaten in the last four matchups between the two teams, with the previous pair prior to these draws dating back to the 2004-05 season, where the Reboleira club emerged victorious with a 3-0 home win and a 1-0 away win.

However, Pepa will be aiming to enhance the Tricolores’ overall performance on the road, as they accumulated just 12 points from 17 away league games last season, which was the second-lowest total in the division. They will be looking to end a nine-match winless streak (D3, L6) on their travels.

Team News

Alverca appears to have emerged from their league opener without any new injury issues, although Sabit Abdulai, who has been out with a knee injury since January, is still unavailable.

Julian Martinez has also been sidelined since March with a similar injury and is anticipated to miss this match as he continues his recovery.

On-loan striker Vivaldo Semedo had a minimal impact during his debut, which leaves Ferreira considering his options in the central forward position, with fellow summer signing Samy Jr. Merheg potentially vying for his first start after coming off the bench last weekend.

Estrela’s attack is expected to be led once more by Antonetti, who was instrumental in last weekend’s impressive comeback. Additionally, Beni Souza is competing for his first start with the team after his notable contribution from the bench against Sporting.

The club has officially announced the acquisition of Spanish midfielder Joan Jordânia, but it remains uncertain whether he will be available this weekend, while Issiar Drame has recently parted ways with the club by mutual agreement.

Alverca probable starting XI:

Mendes; Baseya, Bojang, Meupiyou; Touaizi, Gui, Luccas, James; Chiquinho, Figueiredo; Semedo

Estrela Amadora probable starting XI:

Link; Scholze, Schappo, Patrick, Soares; Doue, Serra; Marcus, Zvonarek, Stoica; Antonetti

Taking on the defending champions isn’t the easiest way to kick off a league season, but Alverca will be hopeful of bouncing back from their loss as they return to play in front of their supporters this weekend.

Nevertheless, Estrela have demonstrated that they are not an easy opponent to dismiss, as evidenced by their performance against Sporting, and it is believed they possess the resolve required to secure something in Ribatejo, with a draw being a likely result.