On Wednesday afternoon, Santa Clara and Moreirense meet in the Primeira Liga, as both look to aid their flagging hopes of European football next season.
Home side Santa Clara are currently seventh place in the Primera Liga table, nine points adrift of fifth-place Pacos de Ferreira, who occupy the last European spot in the Portuguese top-flight.
It seems unlikely that Santa Clara will still qualify for Europe, but with seven league games remaining, they still have a slim hope, especially if they win this clash.
A poor recent run of league form hasn’t helped their European aspirations, as Santa Clara head into this clash on the back of just one win in their last four Primera Liga outings. Last time out they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Vitoria Guimaraes.
A major recent plus for Daniel Ramos’ team is their home form, as they have won four of their last six Primeira Liga matches on home soil, having suffered just one defeat in the run.
Moreirense are in a similar situation to the home team when it comes to qualifying for Continental football next season. The visitors are a point and place below Santa Clara in the Primeira Liga table.
They have shot themselves in the foot of late when it comes to qualification for Europe for next season with their league form. Vasco Seabra’s team has won just one of their last five matches in the Primeira Liga. They suffered a 3-2 home defeat against Tondela last time out.
Despite Moreirense’s inconsistent recent league form, they have a decent recent record on their travels in the Primera Liga, winning five of their last seven matches.
Forebet predicts that this game will end in an entertaining draw, which would do neither team’s hopes of European football for next season much good.