Estoril Praia are two points adrift of Nacional in the Primeira Liga standings going into Saturday's gameweek five encounter at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota.
After two consecutive draws, the home side aim to secure their first win of the season against the newly promoted club, who recently defeated Farense.
Match preview
After losing to Santa Clara (4-1) and Vitoria Guimaraes (1-0), Estoril have played out back-to-back draws in the top flight and are striving for maximum points at the fifth time of asking this term.
However, Ian Cathro's men must overcome an unwanted three-match sequence without scoring after firing blanks in the 1-0 loss to Vitoria and successive goalless matches with Gil Vicente and Boavista.
If you are inclined to fish for positives, ending a five-match losing streak dating to last season should fill supporters with some optimism, even if the calendar year's broader results immediately dampen any encouragement.
The Canaries' 18 points from 23 games is a joint low with Estrela, while their 13 defeats are just one shy of Farense (14) among the clubs to play every gameweek in 2024.
That leaves a club with four home victories in 12 this year with little confidence going into Sunday's match, although one of those triumphs came against Porto in March.
As for Nacional, a 2-0 triumph against Farense just before the break was what the doctor ordered for the new boys, who defeated a club that have accrued 19 points in 2024 — one more than Estoril.
While this weekend's match comes on the road, Tiago Margarido's team seek to exploit the home side's year-long malaise to notch another positive result since regaining promotion after three years away.
Nacionalistas shared the spoils against fellow new boys AVS in gameweek one and narrowly lost in their second road fixture at Arouca in round three, and they hope to record success at one of the competition's winless clubs this weekend.
With their second-half collapse in the 6-1 loss to Sporting proving to be the anomaly after four matches, Nacional hope the competitive spirit that has been evident early doors stands them in good stead at Estoril.
Team News
Kevin Boma could make his Estoril debut this weekend if he shakes off a knock, although Jordan Holsgrove is not expected to play any part for the hosts.
Alejandro Marques, the only player to score for the hosts after four games, hopes to add to his tally on Sunday.
Djibril Soumare and Joao Aurelio are missing due to injury for Nacional, who have no other reported absentee outside the pair.
Dyego Sousa is anticipated to make his Primeira Liga debut and is looking to add firepower to the league's new boys.
No player on the away side has fashioned more clear-cut chances than Luis Esteves (three), and the midfielder's creativity could be pivotal against the division's 16th-placed side.
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Robles; Pina, Mangala, Alvaro, Amaral; Carvalho, Zanocelo, Orellana; Garcia, Marques, Costa
Nacional possible starting lineup:
Franca; Garcia, Ulisses, Vitor, Gomes; Esteves, Dias, Baeza; Thomas, Sousa, Macedo
We say: Estoril Praia 0-1 Nacional
While a third goalless result for Estoril will not surprise, Nacional finding the back of the net four times in as many league games suggests they could eke out consecutive victories at the expense of the struggling home side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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