Santa Clara and Casa Pia get their 2022-23 Primeira Liga campaign underway on Sunday when they lock horns at the Estadio de Sao Miguel on Sunday.
Mario Silva's side will be looking to build on their impressive performance last season, when the visiting side seek to impress on their long-awaited return to the top flight.
Match preview
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Santa Clara enjoyed a solid run in the 2021-22 Primeira Liga campaign as they secured a seventh-placed finish in the league standings after picking up 40 points from 38 games.
Silva's men picked up nine wins, 13 draws and lost 12 league games to finish eight points adrift of Vitoria de Guimaraes in the final Europa Conference League qualification spot.
Os Acoreanos head into the weekend off the back of a fine pre-season campaign where they picked up one draw and two wins from their five games, including a 2-1 victory over Nacional in their most recent outing on July 31.
They now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga where they are yet to suffer defeat on their home turf this year, picking up five wins and four draws from nine games.
Santa Clara, whose last home defeat in the league came in November 7 when they were beaten 3-0 by eventual champions Porto, picked up eight wins and six draws from 17 home games last term and will look to maintain this fine record.
Meanwhile, Casa Pia secured their long-awaited return to the zenith of Portuguese football last season courtesy of an impressive second-placed finish in the Segunda Liga standings.
Filipe Martins's men picked up 21 wins, five draws and lost eight of their 34 games to collect 68 points and finish four points above third-placed Chaves and two off league winner Rio Ave.
Like this weekend's hosts, Casa Pia enjoyed a fine run of display on their home turf last term as they finished with the Segunda Liga's finest home record, claiming 14 wins and one draw from 17 games.
The Casapianos head into the weekend off the back of a short pre-season campaign where they suffered a 2-1 loss against Sheffield United on July 7 before claiming a 1-0 victory over Mafra 12 days later.
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Team News
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Santa Clara remain without the services of Portuguese midfielder Costinha, who has been out of action since last August through an ACL injury.
He is joined on the Os Acoreanos' injury table by Marco Pereira, who also suffered an Achilles tendon rupture in April's game against Maritimo.
Meanwhile, Casa Pia head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Martins the luxury of a full strength squad at his disposal.
The Casapianos recently announced the signing of 33-year-old Rafael Martins, who netted seven goals for Moreirense last term, and the veteran forward should spearhead the attack on Sunday.
Santa Clara possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Sagna, Boateng, Afonso, Quintilla; Valente, Carvalho; Allano, Lincoln, Tagawa; Costa
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Batista; Lelo, Nunes, Zolotic, Bolgado, Poloni; Teixeira, Muscat, Taira, Godwin; Martins
We say: Santa Clara 2-1 Casa Pia
While Casa Pia will look to announce their return in style, they face a solid Santa Clara side who will still be in sky-high confidence following last season's display. We are backing the more experienced Santa Clara side to come away with all three points on Sunday and get their campaign off to a fine start.
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