Casa Pia host Moreirense at Estadio Pina Manique in Saturday's Primeira Liga action, keen to record consecutive victories in the gameweek five encounter.
The hosts notched their first success of the new season before the hiatus and aim to build on notching maximum points against their wobbling visitors.
Match preview
After three successive losses to start 2024-25, Casa Pia secured their first triumph before September's international break.
The 1-0 success over Estrela Amadora, which followed a three-match losing sequence against Boavista (1-0), Benfica (3-0) and Santa Clara (2-0), was satisfying as Joao Pereira's men scored for the first time and kept a clean sheet.
After notching maximum points on the road, Casapianos hope to build on that victory and record success on their travels after two defeats this term — three if last season's matches are included.
To clinch maximum points, Os Gansos must end an 18-month drought without securing back-to-back Primeira Liga wins since beating Pacos Ferreira (2-1) and Maritimo (2-0) in March 2023.
That spell saw the Lisbon outfit accrue 10 points from an available nine, a far cry from their ongoing dismal start to this term hitherto the international break.
Moreirense hope to keep Casa Pia waiting for consecutive league victories when they travel to Lisbon this weekend, even if they must show something different after heading into the international break with one point from a possible six.
Having started the campaign with two wins from two, Cesar Peixoto's side have come back to earth with the loss to Braga (3-1) and draw with Benfica (1-1). Regardless, the head coach may avoid panicking given the quality of the opponent in both games.
Thus, Os homens de Moreira de Conegos will welcome facing an opponent like Casa Pia, whose record in the calendar year ranks in the bottom five among the 15 teams to play 23 games — seven wins, four draws and 12 defeats.
Moreirense have notched 11 victories in that period, four more than this weekend's opponents and only fewer than Sporting (21), Benfica (16), Porto (14), Braga and Vitoria Guimaraes (both 13).
After a two-match winless run, the Minho-based club strive to claim maximum points as they seek another triumph in this match-up after last season's 1-0 success in the corresponding fixture.
Team News
Claudio Mendes (sprain) and Kiki are not expected to play for Casa Pia on Saturday, while Ricardo Batista is touch-and-go for the gameweek five fixture.
Benfica loanee Henrique Pereira, scorer of Casapianos' only goal in 24-25, is pushing for a start after repaying Pereira with a goal on his first against Estrela before the hiatus.
Hernani Infande's participation for Moreirense this weekend is uncertain while doubts remain about Alan featuring for the away side.
Only Luis Asue has found the net for the visitors more than once in 24-25, and the forward looks to add to his three goals in Lisbon.
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Batista; Fonte, Goulart, Zolotic; Geraldes, Sousa, Beni, Segovia, Lelo; Obeng, Pereira
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Fabiano, Maracas, Marcelo, Frimpong; Ismael, Ofori, Tavares; Antonisse, Asue, Madson
We say: Casa Pia 1-2 Moreirense
Despite Casa Pia's marginal success over struggling Estrela before the international break, Moreirense are backed to return to winning ways this weekend, keen to bounce back from dropping points to superior opposition before the pause and exploit Casapianos' soft underbelly.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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