Moreirense vs Estrela Amadora – News and Probable Lineups

In search of their second Primeira Liga win in a row, Moreirense will host Estrela da Amadora at the Estadio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on Saturday afternoon.

The home side currently occupies the 10th position in the Portuguese top-tier, with 11 points accrued from nine matches, sitting just above their opponents, who have fallen to 12th place following a disappointing sequence of results.

Match overview

Moreirense have had a rocky start to their season, securing three wins, two draws, and experiencing four losses in their first nine league encounters. However, they managed to bounce back last weekend with a commendable 3-1 away victory against Estoril Praia.

Vasco Botelho da Costa’s team had previously gone three matches without a victory in all competitions, which included a Taca de Portugal exit to AVS. Nonetheless, a spectacular first-half performance was sufficient to secure full points at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota.

Os verdes e brancos quickly established a three-goal lead before the half-hour mark through the efforts of Manuel Mendonca, Tiago Andrade, and Nile John. Peixinho’s stoppage-time goal was merely a consolation and demonstrated the importance of starting strong.

This season, all three of Moreirense’s league wins have occurred when they scored first, and the home side will be eager to take command once again on Saturday. However, the Moreira de Conegos team has not achieved consecutive Primeira Liga victories since January.

Botelho da Costa’s men have also struggled to find their footing at Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, amassing just four points from their four home league fixtures this season, which leaves them with the sixth worst home record in the league.

Estrela, on the other hand, heads north hoping to reverse a concerning trend after a bright start to their season, having remained unbeaten in their first six league fixtures before succumbing to losses in the last three.

After suffering their first defeat of the season to Academico de Viseu on matchday seven, Pepa’s squad lost to Arouca. Although they did manage a Taca de Portugal win against lower-tier Fazendense, they fell short again in their next top-flight match.

Last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Casa Pia marked Estrela’s third consecutive league match without finding the net for the first time since April, when a similar drought contributed to a streak of five straight losses and seven games without a win.

Nonetheless, only losing once in their first five Primeira Liga away encounters (W1, D3) this season brings some solace to Saturday’s guests, although they have only one victory in their last 13 top-flight away games, casting doubt on their chances of securing maximum points.

The historical head-to-head record does not offer much reassurance for Estrela, who have managed only one victory in 13 encounters with Moreirense across all competitions (D4, L8). Additionally, the Tricolores have not won any of their previous seven away encounters in this fixture (D3, L4).

Team News

Moreirense may again be without Alexandre Parsemain, who picked up a leg injury during international duty with Martinique, and Joao Veloso is also a significant doubt due to a thigh issue.

Maracas missed the victory against Estoril due to suspension after being sent off in the domestic cup against AVS, but he is now available, presenting a selection challenge for Botelho da Costa in central defence after Gilberto Batista and Kevyn Monteiro’s impressive partnership last time out.

Leonardo Vonic could spearhead the attack for a fifth consecutive league match, though Yan Maranhao remains an option, with the 24-year-old attacker yet to start in the league this season.

Estrela are assessing midfielder Robinho’s fitness as he is close to returning from a muscle injury that has sidelined him since September.

In addition, Jeremy Arevalo remains a doubt, having yet to make an appearance for the Tricolores since joining on loan from Stuttgart due to a back issue.

Leandro Antonetti is expected to lead the line, as the striker seeks to regain his scoring prowess after going six matches in all competitions without finding the back of the net, despite having scored in each of Estrela’s opening four Primeira Liga fixtures.

Moreirense probable starting XI:

Ferreira; Pinto, Batista, Maracas, Kiko; LIBERATO, John; Bodonso, Mendonca, Andrade; Vonic.

Estrela Amadora probable starting XI:

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

Moreirense will look to build on their recent win over Estoril and their favorable historical record against Estrela, while the visitors’ ongoing struggles in front of goal suggest a home victory is the most probable outcome in what remains a potentially tight match.