Preview: Estoril Praia vs. AVS

Two sides who could do well with a win lock horns in round 11 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga as Estoril Praia play host to newly-promoted AVS on Saturday.

Both teams find themselves level on points in the bottom half of the table after 10 games and we anticipate an end-to-end affair at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota as they look to get the better of each other.

Match preview

© Imago

Estoril Praia were sent crashing back down to earth last weekend as they suffered a 4-0 hammering against Porto when the two sides met at the Estadio do Dragao.

Danny Namaso and Pepe found the back of the net in a nine-minute spell to put Porto in a commanding lead before substitute Wenderson Galeno struck twice in the second half to cap off a solid team display.

This followed a thrilling 4-1 victory over Arouca at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on October 26, a result which saw Estoril Praia’s three-game losing streak in all competitions come to an end.

Ian Cathro‘s men have now lost five of their 10 games to start the Primeira Liga campaign while picking up two wins and three draws to collect nine points and sit 12th in the standings, level on points with Boavista, Rio Ave and Saturday’s visitors.

Estoril Praia will be backing themselves to find their feet this weekend as they take on an opposing side who are yet to taste victory away from home in the league this season, losing three and claiming one draw from their four matches so far.

AVS were left empty handed yet again as they suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of a dogged Famalicao side when the two teams squared off at the Estadio do Desportivo das Aves last Sunday.

Oscar Oranda and Gil Dias scored to cancel out Vasco Lopes‘s sixth-minute opener and put Famalicao in front, and after Babatunde Akinsola pulled the hosts level in the 30th minute, Dias grabbed his second of the game in the 77th minute to hand the Vila Nova a hard-earned victory.

Prior to that, AVS booked their spot in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Campeonato de Portugal outfit Sandinenses on October 20, one week before suffering a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Porto in the league.

With last Sunday’s result, Vitor Campelos‘s men have now gone five consecutive games without a win in the Primeira Liga, losing three and claiming two draws while conceding 12 goals and scoring three since beating Rio Ave 1-0 on September 4 through a second-half strike from Lopes.

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:

Estoril Praia form (all competitions):

AVS Primeira Liga form:

AVS form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Estoril Praia will have to cope without the services of 24-year-old defender Pedro Alvaro, who is suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Porto last Sunday.

On the injury front, Cathro will be unable to name ex-Braga man Xeka and veteran defender Eliaquim Mangala, who have been sidelined through muscle and thigh problems respectively.

Experienced forward Helder Costa has missed six straight games since coming off injured against Nacional on September 15 while Joao Carvalho is a doubt after picking up an injury against Porto last weekend.

On the other hand, AVS will take to the pitch without Brazilian striker Nene, who has been sidelined since coming off injured against Vitoria de Guimaraes on August 25.

He is joined on the club’s injury table by fellow countryman Lucas Moura, who continues his long journey to full fitness after picking up a severe shoulder injury back in March.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Robles; Pina, Sierra, Boma, Amaral; Zanocelo, Holsgrove, Orellana; Carvalho, Marques, Garcia

AVS possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Fonseca, Roux, Devenish, Kiki; Assuncao, Grau; Lopes, Piazon, Akinsola; Ribeiro

We say: Estoril Praia 2-1 AVS

Off the back of a 4-0 hammering against Porto, Estoril Praia will be keen to return to winning ways on home turf, where they have picked up two wins and one draw from their last four games.

AVS have struggled to impose themselves in the top flight, and given the gulf in quality between the two teams, we are backing Cathro’s men to come away with all three points.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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