Primeira Liga newcomers AVS and CD Nacional are in action for the first time in the 2024-25 campaign when they square off at the Estadio do Desportivo das Aves on Saturday.
The Vila das Aves outfit suffered defeat in both home and away meetings between the teams in the Segunda Liga last season and will be looking to get one over the visitors this weekend.
Match preview
AVS enjoyed a ground-breaking 2023-24 campaign as they secured promotion to the Portuguese top flight in their first-ever season following a stunning playoff triumph over Portimonense.
After UD Vilafranquense's demise, AVS were born into the Portuguese second tier last season and they went on to secure a playoff spot courtesy of an impressive third-placed finish in the table.
Faced against a more experienced Portimonense side in the playoffs, Vitor Campelos's men stake their claim for a place in the big leagues as they secured a 4-2 aggregate win to seal their promotion at the first time of asking.
Goals from Anthony Correia and Bernardo Martins saw the Vila das Aves side secure a 2-1 first-leg win at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on May 25, one week before they picked up a 2-1 victory over Guimaraes in the return leg to confirm the Marafados' relegation.
AVS head into the new campaign off the back of an impressive pre-season campaign as they went unbeaten in seven of their eight friendly matches — picking up five wins and two draws — with a 2-1 loss to Porto B on July 24 being the exception.
Nacional, on the other hand, secured automatic promotion to the Primeira Liga last season when they stormed to a second-placed finish in the Segunda Liga.
The Alvinegros picked up 21 wins from their 34 matches while losing just five and claiming eight draws to collect 71 points and finish as runners-up, just two points off league champions Santa Clara.
Nacional's impressive campaign was owing to the solid job done at the attacking end of the pitch, where they scored 66 goals last season, 14 more than any other side in the division.
The Funchal outfit also finished last season with the best home record in the Segunda Liga as they went unbeaten in 16 of their 17 games at the Estadio da Madeira, claiming 41 points from a possible 51.
Like this Saturday's hosts, Tiago Margarido's men enjoyed a solid run of results in pre-season, where they picked up four wins and two draws from their eight warm-up games while scoring 10 goals and keeping four clean sheets.
Nacional head into the season opener on a run of 13 back-to-back competitive games without defeat, picking nine wins and four draws since their 2-1 loss against Feriense at the Estadio Marcolino de Castro on February 18.
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Team News
Following their impressive 2023-24 campaign, AVS have retained the core of their squad, with only Correia and Martins moving to Vizela and Moreirense respectively.
Campelos's side have also brought in several experienced names as they begin life in the top flight, with the likes of Giorgi Aburjania, Rafael Rodrigues, Kiki Afonso and former Chelsea youngster Lucas Piazon joining their ranks.
Brazilian centre-forward Nene finished at the top of the Segunda Division scoring chart last season with 23 goals and the 41-year-old should spearhead the hosts' attack this weekend.
On the injury front, AVS will have to cope without Cape Verde forward Vasco Lopes, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a severe injury back in March.
Meanwhile, Nacional have lost several key players down the spine of the team, with the likes of Carlos Daniel and the duo of Jesus Ramirez and Gustavo Silva, who scored a combined 28 goals last term, departing the club.
However, Alvinegros side have bolstered their squad with over 10 signings this summer, with Bruno Costa and former Vitoria de Guimaraes duo of Adrian Butzke and Afonso Freitas in line to make their debut.
AVS possible starting lineup:
Trigueira; Fonseca, Afonso, Teixeira, Rodrigues; Silva, Lucca, Piazon, Mendonca; Nene, Mercado
Nacional possible starting lineup:
Franca; Aurelio, Gomes, Goncalves, Pola; Shatri, Costa, Freitas; Dudu, Butzke, Santos
We say: AVS 2-1 Nacional
Having secured promotion from the Segunda Liga, AVS and Nacional will both be looking to pick up a dream start to life in the big leagues. While both sides are evenly matched on paper, AVS's home advantage gives them a slight upper hand and we fancy them to come away with a narrow victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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