Preview: Santa Clara vs Estrela Amadora - prediction, team news, lineups

Santa Clara welcome Estrela Amadora to the Estadio de Sao Miguel on Sunday, with both sides still searching for their first victory of the new Primeira Liga season.

The hosts are desperate to put points on the board after a poor start, while the Tricolores arrive in the Azores hoping to build on a spirited draw last time out.

Match preview

Santa Clara sit second-from-bottom after two matches, still without a point and yet to score a goal this season.

They have conceded four times across those games and already look short of confidence in attack.

Their campaign began with a 3-0 defeat away to Famalicao, where Rodrigo Pinheiro, Gustavo Sa and Gil Dias found the net.

That result was followed by a 1-0 home loss to Moreirense, who struck in the eighth minute through Guilherme Schettine, with Santa unable to find a way back.

Hopes of a European run were also ended in midweek, as they were held to a goalless draw by Shamrock Rovers in the second leg of their Conference League playoff, bowing out 2-1 on aggregate.

The dream of continental football in the Azores is over, meaning full focus now shifts to climbing the league table.

The Azoreans enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, finishing fifth in the Primeira Liga, in their first year back in the top flight after promotion from Liga Portugal 2.

Scoring just one goal in their last five competitive matches, while conceding eight in their last eight, highlights the struggles Vasco Matos’s side take into this clash.

Estrela da Amadora, meanwhile, sit 12th after three games with two points from two draws and one defeat.

They endured a difficult 2023-24 campaign under Jose Faria, finishing 15th with only 29 points from 34 games but early signs this season suggest a more resilient outfit.

Their opening match ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equaliser from Ianis Stoica, while they followed it up with a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Benfica after conceding a second-half penalty.

They showed impressive character to come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Alverca on Monday, despite playing almost half the match with 10 men after Paulo Moreira was dismissed.

Faria’s men have been guilty of individual errors and poor finishing but remain competitive in aerial duels and have already shown their ability to recover from losing positions.

Historically, this fixture has been tight, with the last six meetings producing one win apiece and four draws.

Santa Clara Primeira Liga form:

Santa Clara form (all competitions):

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Estrela Amadora Primeira Liga form:

DLD

Team News

Santa Clara boss Matos surprised many against Shamrock Rovers by leaving Gabriel Silva on the bench until late in the second half, with the team struggling badly in attack until his introduction - Silva is expected to return to the starting XI here.

In defence, Sidney Lima is expected to take charge at the heart of the backline, partnering with Luis Carlos Rocha Rodrigues and Matheus Nunes Fagundes to provide stability.

Further up the pitch, the midfield of Sergio Lobo Araujo, Adriano Firmino, Matheus Pereira and Pedro Ferreira are likely to dictate the tempo, combining defensive cover with creativity.

For Estrela, Paulo Moreira is suspended after his red card last weekend, while left-back Guilherme Montoia also remains sidelined through injury.

Robson Lucas Oliveira Botelho could slot into midfield in Moreira’s absence, while Joao Gastao and Alan Godoy are expected to continue in attack.

Santa Clara possible starting lineup:

Batista; Lima, Rocha, MT; Lobo Araujo, Ferreira, Adriano, Pereira; Lopes, Wendel, Gabriel Silva

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:

Ribeiro; Ronaldo, Atanasov, Chernev, Schappo; Patrick, Lopes Cabral; Oliveira Botelho, Marcus; Godoy, Gastao

We say: Santa Clara 1-2 Estrela Amadora

Neither side has started the campaign strongly, but Santa Clara’s lack of firepower is a major concern.

Estrela’s ability to grind out points and respond in tough moments should give them the edge, and we can see them leaving the Azores with all three points.

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