Preview: Estoril Praia vs Santa Clara - prediction, team news, lineups

Estoril Praia host Santa Clara at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota for Saturday's rescheduled matchday three fixture, with both teams aiming to end their winless starts to the Primeira Liga season.

The fixture was moved to accommodate the visitors' Conference League qualifying match, but the timing during the international break has caused some concern due to the home side's absences.

Match preview

Alarm bells were probably ringing for Estoril after a disappointing pre-season in which they claimed one win, but that has now continued into the 2025-26 campaign.

While Ian Cathro's men have admittedly avoided losing two of their three games, the club's concession of goals has undermined their goalscoring qualities up top.

Despite scoring five goals in three games this season, the club from the Lisbon district have drawn against Estrela Amadora (1-1) and Tondela (2-2) and suffered a defeat at Vitoria Guimaraes (3-2), despite scoring five goals.

Aiming to bounce back from their underwhelming start, the Canaries will seek to draw positives from their most recent meeting with Santa Clara in January, when they secured a 3-2 victory in Ponta Delgada; however, the visiting side will do likewise after considering last season's corresponding fixture.

Vasco Miguel Lopes Matos's Santa Clara claimed a 4-1 triumph in Cascais in August 2024, even though it is worth noting that work permit issues for Estoril boss Cathro prevented him from taking charge of the fixture.

Os Acorianos have not had the best start to the campaign, with European commitments affecting the beginning of last season’s fifth-placed club, who failed to qualify for the Conference League owing to a 2-1 aggregate defeat by Shamrock Rovers in the playoff round.

Having defeated Varazdin and Larne in the second and third qualifying rounds, Os Acorianos’ narrow exit to their Irish opponents was a bitter blow, but they hope to return to winning ways on Saturday.

The upcoming fixture was rescheduled due to Santa Clara's continental commitments, which ultimately did not lead to progression to the league phase, and the Azoreans aim to refocus despite European disappointment.

The away side’s enthusiasm will be tested considering their failure to score in any of their three league matches, losing to Famalicao (3-0) and Moreirense (1-0), and then playing out a goalless draw with Estrela to close August.

That result leaves last season's fifth-placed team languishing in 15th in the early-season table, but they could leapfrog Saturday's visitors and climb as high as mid-table if they secure maximum points this weekend.

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:

Estoril Praia form (all competitions):

Santa Clara Primeira Liga form:

Santa Clara form (all competitions):

Team News

Antef Tsoungui and Xeka are unlikely to play for Estoril due to injury, while the Canaries will be without Kevin Boma, Nodar Lominadze, Martin Turk, and Tiago Parente, who are away on international duty with Togo, Georgia, Slovenia, and Portugal’s Under-21 squad, respectively.

Rafik Guitane has had an exciting start to the season for the Canaries, scoring in back-to-back games against Vitoria and Tondela, and the wide attacker aims to score for the third match running.

Missing for Santa Clara are Pedro Pacheco (knee injury) and Diogo Calila, who is away on international duty with Mozambique.

Despite failing to score in the Liga, Vinicius Lopes and Gabriel Silva remain the most threatening forwards for the away side, especially considering the former’s two goals and the latter’s three in Conference League qualifying.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Robles; Ferro, Bacher, Amaral; P. Carvalho, De Paula, Holsgrove, Sanchez; Guitane, Begraoui, J. Carvalho

Santa Clara possible starting lineup:

Batista; Lima, Venancio, Araujo; Soares, Ferreira, Serginho, Victor; Lopes, Silva, Pereira

We say: Estoril Praia 1-2 Santa Clara

Although Guitane’s start to the season provides Estoril with an attacking threat, the Canaries’ injuries leave Cathro uncertain about his team selection for the match against Santa Clara.

Therefore, the away side from Ponta Delgada are expected to narrowly beat their Lisbon opponents on Saturday to secure their first victory of this season’s Liga.

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