Casa Pia vs Tondela – News and Probable Lineups

With only one position and four points separating them at the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings, Casa Pia are set to host Tondela in a crucial clash at Rio Maior this Sunday.

The 16th-placed team is currently two points below the safety line and four points ahead of Tondela, who sit in 17th, making this fixture a vital one in the relegation showdown.

Match overview

Initially, the appointment of Alvaro Pacheco in early January seemed to inspire a turnaround for Casa Pia, whose sole defeat in the first five matches under his leadership (W2, D2) came against the reigning champions, Sporting Lisbon.

However, their determination seems to have dwindled, leading to a nine-match winless streak where the Geese lost five times, including a 2-1 defeat against Gil Vicente, in which Cassiano’s equalizer just before halftime was rendered futile as Murilo de Souza scored again to secure the win for Gil Vicente.

This recent result marks consecutive losses in the Primeira Liga for Casa Pia after a 1-0 defeat to Braga just four days earlier. As it stands, Os Gansos risk being defeated in three straight league matches for the first time this season.

The drop in performance can be attributed to struggles in the attacking third, having failed to score in five of their last nine outings, whereas they managed no more than a single goal in each of the other four — a significant decline from their previous four matches, where they netted at least twice in three.

Defensively, Casa Pia has also faltered, conceding 55 goals this season — only Arouca (60) and AVS (65) have surrendered more — leaving Pacheco with issues to address on both sides ahead of the critical match on Sunday.

Returning to Estadio Pina Manique may provide some solace, as Os Gansos have suffered just one defeat in their last nine league matches at home, although only two of those games resulted in wins, which account for all their home victories in the Primeira Liga this season (D8, L5).

Similarly, Tondela arrives with a lengthy winless streak, having gone eight matches without a victory (D4, L4), even after a change in management, with Goncalo Feio overseeing four of those fixtures since his appointment on March 29.

Feio’s reign has seen 2-0 losses to both Porto and Nacional, sandwiched between 2-2 draws against Gil Vicente and Sporting. His team showed signs of life in a spirited comeback to earn a point at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Wednesday.

After trailing 2-0 late on with goals conceded by Luis Suarez and an own goal from Joao Silva, Tondela struck twice in stoppage time through Salvador Blopa’s accidental own goal and a goal from Cicero, avoiding a third consecutive defeat and keeping their survival hopes alive.

Claiming victory here would significantly enhance the Gold and Greens’ chances of steering clear of an immediate return to the second division, though their three wins from 15 away matches this season (D3, L9) leave little room for optimism.

Additionally, the history doesn’t favor the visitors, who lost the only prior encounter against Casa Pia, suffering a 2-1 defeat in December at Estadio Joao Cardoso.

Team News

Casa Pia is set to be without former Southampton defender Jose Fonte, who has missed the last five matches due to an injury he sustained in March.

Winter recruit Pedro Rosas will also be absent due to suspension after receiving five yellow cards in Liga 2 and the Primeira Liga this season, following his most recent booking.

Cassiano’s goal against Gil Vicente ended a six-match goal drought, and the experienced forward will be looking to find the net in consecutive league matches for only the second occasion this term.

Meanwhile, Tondela is uncertain about the fitness of Helder Tavares, who was substituted during the second half of the midweek fixture against Sporting, making him a notable doubt.

Pedro Maranhao continues to lead the club’s scoring charts with six league goals, though the winger has been unable to score in his last seven matches and will aim to break that streak.

Additionally, midfielder Cicero is pushing for a starting position after his impactful appearance from the bench in the last game.

Casa Pia probable starting XI:

Lineup here

Tondela probable starting XI:

Lineup here

A win for Casa Pia, coupled with favorable results elsewhere, would elevate them to 15th place, while a victory for Tondela could significantly bolster their survival ambitions.

Nevertheless, with both teams undergoing lengthy winless streaks and lacking clinical prowess in front of goal, a tense and low-scoring draw seems to be the most probable outcome.