Published on

Match Preview: Chaves v Estoril Praia

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

Intro

The Portuguese Premeira Liga resumes after the international break with Chaves and Estoril Praia meeting at the Estadio Municipal Eng. Manuel Branco Teixeira on Saturday evening.

This will be the first top-flight clash between the two clubs since February 2018, with both sides looking to build on encouraging performances in the opening weeks of the season.

Match Preview

After a three-year absence, Chaves have enjoyed a solid start to life back in Portugal’s top tier, collecting a respectable eight points from their first seven fixtures.

Despite a positive beginning to their campaign, the Flavienses went into the international off the back of two consecutive away losses to FC Porto and most recently Portimonense, leaving them in 11th position. A solitary Paulo Estrela penalty was enough to sentence Chaves to defeat at Estadio Municipal de Portimão last time out, although the visitors applied enough attacking pressure in the second period to warrant a share of the spoils.

Vitor Campelos’ men are now three games without a win and will be keen to record their first home maximum of the season to avoid slipping towards the relegation places.

One man likely to come up with a big moment for the hosts is Spaniard Hector Hernández, with the striker’s two goals so far this term both coming on home soil. The 27-year-old has started all seven league fixtures since his summer switch from Rayo Majadahonda, representing an action-packed start to a maiden voyage outside of his native Spain.

Last season Estoril managed to achieve what their hosts on Saturday evening are looking to accomplish this campaign, as the Canarinhos finished 9th and secured their Premeira Liga status after promotion the previous year.

Only a 99th minute Mehdi Taremi penalty prevented Estoril from earning victory against FC Porto nearly a fortnight ago. On-loan Benfica winger Tiago Gouveia converted from a tight angle to open the scoring against the champions, but ultimately Nelson Verissimo’s men had to settle for a point leaving them in 7th place going into the weekend.

Verissimo is currently undertaking his first spell as a permanent senior boss, with the ex-centre back spending the majority of his short managerial career as the head of Benfica’s B team, albeit with brief duties as interim coach of the first team.

Estoril have won their last two away games, dispatching Pacos de Ferriera as well as Vizela on their travels without conceding a goal. Although a trip to Chaves may prove trickier, the Cascais-based club will feel confident of building on a deserved point against Porto last time out and bridging the gap to Boavista who currently occupy the final European place.

Team News

Chaves will be without centre back Steven Vitória after he was shown a straight red card in the final stages of their defeat at Portimonense.

Consequently, the hosts will be forced to change a previously ever-present back four, with new signing Carlos Ponck likely to partner Nelson Monte in central defence for the first time since his move from Istanbul Başakşehir.

Brazilian winger Juninho is set to face his former club for whom he played 25 times for during the 2019-20 season.

Estoril also suffered a dismissal in their previous league match, meaning Senegalese midfielder Mor Ndiaye is suspended for this weekend’s clash. A probable replacement comes in the form of Cameroonian James Léa Siliki, given that Rosier Loreintz is still sidelined with an injury sustained against Vizela.

Chaves possible starting lineup:

Vitor; Correia, Monte, Ponck, Langa; Guimaraes, Mendes, Teixeira; Juninho, Arriba Hernández

Estoril possible starting lineup:

Figueria; Santos, Alvaro, Vital, Joazinho; Geraldes, Siliki, Carvalho; Gouveia, Martins, Erison

We say: Chaves 1-2 Estoril Praia

Chaves are without a win in three matches since their historic victory at Sporting Lisbon, with the reality of life in the Premeira Liga sinking in after successive away defeats.

Estoril have collected six points from three away ventures so far this term and considering their opponents on Saturday are yet to win at home, the Canarinhos are favourites to take all three points in this one.