Santa Clara will be determined to snap their winless streak when they host a struggling Moreirense in Round 25 of the Primeira Liga, as they aim to reignite their push for European qualification.
The Azoreans sit fifth in the standings with 39 points, eight behind fourth-placed Braga, after failing to secure victory in any of their last three matches, while a series of poor results has seen the visitors slip to 11th with 27 points.
Match preview
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A 1-0 defeat at Boavista last weekend marked the latest setback in Santa Clara's faltering run, which also includes a home loss to Benfica and a stalemate at Estoril Praia.
It was a familiar tale for Vasco Matos's side, whose attacking struggles persisted as they failed to score for a third consecutive game, with just one shot on target from 11 attempts further highlighting their lack of cutting edge in the final third.
While this dip in form has seen them lose ground in the European race, Matos can take pride in his team's campaign so far, considering they only just secured a return to the top flight this season after finishing bottom in 2023-24 with 22 points.
Santa Clara's impressive journey has been largely built on their home form, winning seven of their 12 matches, but recent performances have been less encouraging, with only four points picked up from their last five outings, a stark contrast to the perfect record they boasted in the previous six.
That dominant spell was anchored by defensive resilience, preventing their opponents from scoring in four of those games, but the tide appears to have turned, with the Azoreans now struggling in front of goal, failing to score in three of the last five.
However, Santa Clara, looking to reignite their European ambition, can take encouragement from the fact that they have a strong opportunity to end their attacking struggles this weekend, given they welcome an opponent with a fragile backline on the road, with the visitors' 22 goals conceded placing them as the joint-second most porous away side in the division.
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The consequence of Moreirense's defensive frailties is their position as the fourth-worst travellers in the league, with their tally of 13 goals offering little respite, having managed just seven points from a possible 36.
The Green and Whites have endured a season defined by long droughts punctuated by occasional victories, the most recent being a 3-2 triumph over Casa Pia on February 15.
That victory ended an eight-match winless league run comprising five losses and three draws, though it remains their only success in 11 outings, with Moreirense's latest performances seeing them slip back into familiar struggles.
Os Verdes e Brancos have now gone two matches without a victory, beginning with a defeat at Famalicao before Sidnei Tavares's 77th-minute strike salvaged a point against Estrela Amadora in Cristiano Bacci's first game in charge.
While Bacci will be eager to secure his maiden win and end Moreirense's drought, the Green and Whites also have the opportunity to secure their first-ever league double over Santa, having claimed a 1-0 success in the reverse fixture in October last year.
Team News
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Twenty-four-year-old centre-forward Wendel Silva and 28-year-old centre-back Pedro Pacheco are expected to remain sidelined for Santa as they continue their recovery from injuries.
Sergio Araujo could return to the starting lineup to partner Firmino in midfield after featuring from the bench last time out, which may see Pedro Ferreira drop to the bench.
For Moreirense, Tavares, who came off the bench to net the equaliser last time out, will push for a starting spot, while Luis Asue's impressive display out wide should see him retain his place in that role.
On the injury front, defensive midfielder Guilherme Liberato, left-back Godfried Frimpong and winger Hernani Infande are all ruled out for Sunday's encounter.
Santa Clara possible starting lineup:
Batista; Venancio, Rocha, Nunes; Calila, Firmino, Araujo, MT; Ricardinho, Silva, Lopes
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Pinto, Maracas, Marcelo, Buta; Santos, Alanzinho, Tavares; Asue, Schettine, Benny
We say: Santa Clara 2-0 Moreirense
While both sides come into this contest in poor form, Santa have been the stronger team throughout the season, with their current winless run seen as a temporary setback, and facing a struggling Moreirense could provide the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways.
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Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
