Sports Mole previews Monday’s Primeira Liga clash between Estrela Amadora and SC Farense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Both Estrela Amadora and SC Farense will be looking to open up some daylight between themselves and the Primeira Liga relegation zone when they face off on Monday night.
The hosts are currently the first side above the relegation playoff spot, currently on 28 points after 30 games, while the visitors are just two points above them in 12th place.
Match preview
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While the end of the season is now in sight, the battle for top-flight survival is far from over, with as many as nine sides still mathematically at risk of heading to Liga Portugal 2 next season.
Estrela are just about keeping themselves above water and come into this match following three consecutive draws, with the most recent ending in a painful 1-1 scoreline against Boavista on the road last weekend.
After a slow-burning first half, the Tricolours managed to break the deadlock in the 75th minute through a Rodrigo Pinho goal and looked set to come away what would have been a massive three points, but Rodrigo Abascal found an equaliser in stoppage time to deny them their first away win since the start of October.
Nevertheless, Sergio Vieira will know that his side cannot dwell on that result, with this match arguably being even more important to win than the last, considering it is at home before a two-match away stint.
At Estadio Jose Gomes, the hosts have managed just 12 points from 15 games, though they have only lost one of their last five, which was against champions-elect Sporting Lisbon at the end of last month.
Up next for Estrela are a familiar foe in Farense, who finished six points ahead of them and ten behind Moreirense last season en route to promotion to the top flight.
The Lions of Faro head into this match following a torrid run of fixtures, which included three of the top six teams, Arouca, Vitoria de Guimaraes and Benfica, all in the space of four gameweeks.
Against the Eagles last week, Orkun Kokcu put Benfica in the lead within the first 15 minutes, but Farense quickly levelled the score just seven minutes later through Bachir Belloumi. Roger Schmidt‘s team wasted no time in reclaiming their lead, with Arthur Cabral finding the back of the net before halftime, and Alvaro Fernandez delivered a spectacular strike in the 67th minute, extinguishing any hopes Farense had of mounting a comeback.
Jose Mota‘s side are now looking to bring an end to a six-match winless streak on the road, which includes two draws on either side of four straight losses between mid-February and the end of March.
These two played to a goalless draw at Estadio de Sao earlier in the season, which extended Farense’s unbeaten run against this opponent to four matches. However, each of the last three encounters between these rivals have ended level.
Estrela Amadora Primeira Liga form:
SC Farense Primeira Liga form:
Team News
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Diogo Fonseca missed last week’s trip to Boavista after picking up a knock against Rio Ave and is likely to be ruled out for this match as well. He will join long-term absentee Gustavo Henrique on the sidelines.
Brazilian defender Mansur did well in the absence of Fonseca and should retain his spot in the three-man backline alongside Kialonda Gaspar and Miguel Lopes in front of Bruno Brigido in goal.
The visitors have just one injury absentee to contend with heading into the final stretch of the season in Luiz Felipe, who is suffering from a tendon injury and is likely to miss the remainder of the campaign.
Bruno Duarte missed the loss to Benfica and could return to action in this match. Belloumi netted his sixth goal of the season against the Eagles and should keep his place in attack, pairing up with Ze Luis.
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Brigido; Gaspar, Lopes; Mansur; Santos, Cordeiro, Bucca, Lima; Jaba, Kikas, Luiz
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Velho; Pastor, Silva, Rossi, Talys; Falcao, Isidoro, Barbosa, Matias; Belloumi, Ze Luis
We say: Estrela Amadora 1-1 SC Farense
This is a huge match in the relegation scrap, and a win will feel like six points for either side. However, these two are very well-matched, evidenced by the fact that each of their last three encounters have ended level. Both teams will go all out here, but feel they will end up sharing the spoils at the final whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.