AVS vs Estoril – News and Probable Lineups

Two teams with differing fortunes clash in round 22 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga as AVS welcomes Estoril Praia to the Estadio do Desportivo das Aves this Sunday.

While the home team aims to secure their first league victory of the season, the Canarinhos are looking to achieve their fourth win in five matches to close the gap to the European qualifying spots.

Match overview

As the 2025-26 Primeira Liga season reaches its 21st match, AVS is still in pursuit of their initial victory, with relegation becoming increasingly probable after narrowly avoiding it last season.

Last term, the Vila das Aves team accumulated 27 points, just surpassing Farense to avoid the relegation playoff by goal difference, and proceeded to triumph 5-2 on aggregate against Vizela in the relegation/promotion playoff matches.

However, with 16 losses and five draws in 21 matches so far this season, AVS finds themselves at the bottom of the league table, 14 points from safety.

Key to AVS’s disappointing season has been their defensive fragility, as Joao Henriques’s squad has conceded 54 goals, which is eight more than any other team in the league, while managing only 15 goals at the other end.

This was underscored last Monday when they let a second-half lead slip away in a 3-1 loss to Famalicao, a defeat that extended their winless streak to eight matches across all competitions since edging past Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-0 in the Taca de Portugal back in December.

Conversely, Estoril Praia demonstrated impressive resilience last Saturday, coming back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Tondela at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota.

Brazilian forward Maranhao scored twice within the first 16 minutes, putting Tondela on track for their first victory since January 3. However, Joao Carvalho and Ferro responded in a quick three-minute span, helping the home team salvage a crucial point.

It may have felt like two points dropped, but head coach Ian Cathro is likely to find positives in the draw, as Estoril Praia remains unbeaten in six of their last seven matches, amassing 10 points from the last available 12.

After only four wins in their first 14 encounters, the Canarinhos’ resurgence has rekindled hopes for a late push towards European qualification, currently sitting in seventh place in the Primeira Liga standings, with 30 points, level with Moreirense, and nine points behind fourth-placed Braga.

Estoril Praia will be confident heading into this weekend, facing a team that has not won in their last three encounters, having settled for a goalless draw in November 2024 before losing both of their clashes in 2025.

Team News

AVS continues to be without Spanish defender Guillem Molina, who remains on his rehabilitation journey after a significant injury suffered in August.

Another defender, Paulo Vitor, had to leave the match against Famalicao due to injury just before the half-hour mark, leaving the 24-year-old unavailable for the Vila das Aves team.

In his absence, Cape Verde international Carlos Ponck is expected to step into the lineup, partnering with Daniel Rivas, Mateus Pivo, and club captain Cristian Castro in defence.

On the other hand, Estoril will be minus Belgian defender Antef Tsoungui, who is serving a suspension after exceeding the yellow card limit with his booking against Tondela in the previous match.

In terms of injuries, Andre Lacximicant is set to miss his seventh consecutive match after sustaining an injury against Braga in December, while 21-year-old defender Or Israelov has been sidelined with a serious thigh issue since September.

AVS probable starting XI:

Adriel; Rivas, Ponck, Castro, Pivo; Mendonca, Roni, Lima, Akinsola, Duarte; Tomane

Estoril Praia probable starting XI:

Robles; Ferro, Bacher, Amaral; Sanchez, Pizzi, Holsgrove, Carvalho; Guitane, Marques, Begraoui

Estoril Praia has been on a commendable run of results recently and will look to capitalize on the struggles of an AVS side that is still seeking their first league win.

Cathro’s squad understands the importance of avoiding any unnecessary mistakes as they aim for European football, and we foresee them adding to the woes of the struggling hosts.