Preview: Moreirense vs Alverca - prediction, team news, lineups

Moreirense FC will welcome newly-promoted FC Alverca to Estadio C. J. de Almeida Freitas in their Primeira Liga opening fixture on Sunday.

The hosts will begin their third consecutive season in the top flight after gaining promotion in the 2023 season, while FC Alverca are back in the top division for the first time since 2004.

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Match preview

Last term, Moreirense recorded 10 victories, 10 draws and 14 losses, amassing 40 points to finish in tenth in the standings.

That finish would have been deemed respectable, but it pales in comparison to their sixth-place finish in the 2023-24 season, when they collected 55 points under Rui Borges, a tally which is their highest ever in the Portuguese top division.

The Green and Whites started the 2024-25 campaign on a good note, claiming back-to-back victories in their first two matches, but they became largely inconsistent as the season progressed.

A run of 12 matches with just one win irked the hierarchy, and the erstwhile coach Cesar Peixoto was fired, paving the way for the appointment of Cristiano Bacci in February to see out the season.

Going into the 2025-26 season, the Green and Whites have made yet another managerial change, with Vasco Botelho da Costa, the man who secured promotion for Sunday’s opponents, at the helm.

However, if the pre-season performance is anything to go by, the home side could be in for a rocky start, having won only two of their six fixtures in the build-up to the season.

Meanwhile, FC Alverca will be competing in the Portuguese top division for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

The Primeira Liga newcomers finished second in the Portuguese second division last season and subsequently earned their promotion to the top flight.

Ahead of their first game back in the big time, the visitors will be in a confident mood, having won four of their six pre-season fixtures, recording a loss and one draw in the other two matches.

That said, the visiting team would have to put their best foot forward, as the hosts have defeated them in their last two league meetings.

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Team News

Moreirense have injuries to grapple with ahead of Sunday’s fixture, with the likes of Rodrigo Alonso and Liberato on the sidelines.

In the absence of Alonso, 20-year-old midfielder Jimi Gower will step up to take his place in midfield.

Yan Maranho scored three goals in eight appearances last term, but Guilherme Schettine is likely to get the nod to lead the line for the home side.

For the visitors, Nabil Touaizi, who is out injured, may not be ready to feature for his team’s first game of the season.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Secco; Martinez, Marcelo, Maracas, Pinto; Stjepanovic, Gower, Benny; Bondoso, Schettine, Teguia

Alverca possible starting lineup:

Gomes; Estevez, Naves, Baseya, James; Martins, Amorim, Mendes; Nuozzi, Leite, Chiquinho

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We say: Moreirense 1-0 Alverca

Although the hosts did not impress in their pre-season matches for the new season, they still have enough quality within their ranks to get past the newly promoted side. Therefore, we are backing the home side to claim a slim 1-0 victory.

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

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