Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Primeira Liga clash between Casa Pia and Moreirense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two teams whose finishes in the Primeira Liga are all but confirmed come face to face on Sunday evening as Casa Pia host Moreirense at the Campo do Cevadeiro.
The home side are hoping to push into the top half of the table prior to the end of the campaign, while the visitors will be hoping to confirm their place as the best of the rest.
Match preview
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Casa Pia have had an extremely inconsistent time in the Primeira Liga this year, finding themselves falling into the relegation zone in matchday 21 before now fighting for a top-half finish going into the final two matches of the season.
They currently trail eighth-placed Famalicao by four points and with the two matching up on the final day of the season, Casa Pia could leapfrog above them if they secure victory in this one, Famalicao drop points against Chaves and Casa Pia win in the last match of the term.
The hosts will need to improve on their recent results if they are to have any chance of achieving that though, managing just two wins in their last nine games.
Casa Pia may hold the home advantage for this fixture but with just three wins in front of their own fans and Moreirense having the sixth-best points tally on the road, this will likely be a tough task for the hosts.
The visitors come into this match currently residing in sixth place and unable to move any higher up the table as they trail fifth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes by 11 points.
Despite that, Rui Borges‘s men will be aiming to retain their spot in the league and finish the season as the best of the rest, but they must first battle off Arouca, who trail them by three points in order to achieve that.
Moreirense’s run of one win in seven matches through March and April allowed Vitoria to extend their lead and Arouca to close the gap on fifth spot, but a return to victory with back-to-back wins in their last two games has Borges’s side in good form heading into the final two outings.
Despite being the superior team in the league this season the visitors were smashed 4-1 in the reverse fixture in January, leaving them seeking revenge in this one.
Casa Pia Primeira Liga form:
Moreirense Primeira Liga form:
Team News
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The hosts will be without Rafael Brito and Kiki for this encounter due to injury.
Angelo Neto is set to make a return and could boost options in midfield, likely to partner Beni Mukendi in the middle of the park.
The visitors will be without no fewer than four players for their trip to Campo do Cevadeiro.
Hernani Infande, Madson, Carlos Ponck and Alhassane Sylla are all set to be unavailable through injury.
Fabiano and Ismael will be back available for selection after serving their respective suspensions.
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Batista; Varela, Tchamba, Zolotic; Larrazabal, Mukendi, Neto, Lelo; Soma, Cardoso, Moreira
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Secco; Pinto, Maracas, Marcelo, Frimpong; Franco, Alan, Ofori; Kodisang, Mingotti, Camacho
We say: Casa Pia 1-2 Moreirense
Despite Casa Pia comfortably winning 4-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season, Moreirense are the much superior side and with a return to form in recent games, we believe the visitors will win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.