Preview: Tondela vs Estoril Praia - prediction, team news, lineups

Tondela will be searching for their first win of the season when they host Estoril Praia at the Estadio Joao Cardoso in the Primeira Liga on Sunday.

Neither side has tasted victory so far this term, making this encounter a potential turning point in their bid to build early momentum.

Match preview

It has been a nightmare start for newly-promoted Tondela, who sit bottom of the table after three games, still without a point or a goal and with seven conceded.

Ivo Vieira’s men opened the campaign away to Sporting Braga, where goals from Vitor Carvalho, Pau Victor and Ricardo Horta consigned them to a 3-0 defeat.

That was followed by a narrow 1-0 loss against Famalicao, before another 3-0 defeat to Benfica, where Franjo Ivanovic, Fredrik Aursnes and Gianluca Prestianni struck - the latter deep into stoppage time.

It is a sharp reversal from last season, when former coach Luis Pinto led the side to the Liga Portugal 2 title and promotion, underlining the difficulties of competing at a higher level.

Vieira, appointed in July, will be desperate to turn things around quickly, especially at home, where the fans will expect their first points of the season.

Pre-season results had offered some optimism, with Tondela winning all three warm-up games by comfortable margins, scoring seven times, yet life in the top flight has so far underlined the step-up in quality.

Historically, meetings with Estoril have been evenly balanced, with Tondela winning two, losing two, and drawing one of their last five encounters.

Estoril, meanwhile, are 13th in the standings with one point from two games.

Ian Cathro’s men began with a 1-1 draw at home to Estrela Amadora, Tiago Parreira Parente giving them the lead before the visitors equalised in the 75th minute.

They followed that up with a 3-2 defeat away to Vitoria Guimaraes - despite taking the lead through Rafik Guitane, they conceded an equaliser before half time and fell further behind in the 52nd minute.

Rodrigo Abascal's own goal pulled them level, only for Tiago Silva’s penalty to condemn them to defeat in the 69th minute.

Cathro guided Estoril to an eighth-placed finish last season with 46 points, and while expectations are moderate, he will be eager to see his side avoid slipping into early trouble.

Pre-season form, where they won just one of six friendlies, suggested consistency could again be an issue.

Tondela Primeira Liga form:

LLL

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:

Team News

Tondela have no fresh injury concerns, giving Vieira a full squad to choose from.

Midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, who recently returned after almost a year out, came off the bench against Benfica and may feature again as he builds match fitness.

Forwards Miro and Yarlen are expected to lead the line once more, though both are still searching for their first goal contributions of the campaign.

Estoril, on the other hand, could be without midfielder Xeka, who is struggling with a ligament issue.

Defensively, Pedro Amaral, Felix Bacher and Kevin Boma are likely to continue as the back three, while captain Joao Carvalho, Yanis Begraoui and Rafik Guitane should form the attacking trio.

Tondela possible starting lineup:

Bernardo; Silva Manso, Marques, Afonso, Maviram; Rodriguez Lopez, Tavares; Sie Ouattar, Hodge, Yarlen, Miro

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Robles; Amaral, Bacher, Boma; Parente, Lominadze, Holsgrove, P. Carvalho; J. Carvalho, Begraoui, Guitane

We say: Tondela 1-2 Estoril Praia

Both teams have endured shaky starts, but Tondela’s issues in front of goal remain alarming, while Estoril have at least found the net in both of their matches.

Home advantage may help the newly-promoted side steady the ship, but Cathro’s men appear slightly sharper at this stage.

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