Preview: Maritimo vs. Santa Clara - prediction, team news, lineups

Seeking to pull clear of the relegation places, Santa Clara lock horns with Maritimo at the Estadio do Maritimo in round 14 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday.

The hosts, on the other hand, will be looking to get one over the visitors after suffering defeats in both home and away fixtures last season.

Match preview

Maritimo were denied a second consecutive league victory for the first time since April as they played out a 1-1 draw with Boavista at the Estadio do Bessa XXI last Saturday.

In a game where both sides finished with 10 men, Petar Musa put Os Axadrezados ahead inside the opening five minutes with his fifth goal of the season, but substitute Henrique came up trumps for the visitors as he restored parity in the 95th minute.

Prior to that, Vasco Seabra's side ended their run of 10 games without a win across all competitions when they saw off Pacos de Ferreira 2-0 courtesy of second-half goals from Joel Tagueu and Stefano Beltrame.

With 11 points from 13 outings, Maritimo are currently 12th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with Pacos de Ferreira and one point behind Saturday's visitors in the relegation playoff spot.

Santa Clara, on the other hand, picked up just their second league win of the season last time out when they edged out Arouca 2-1 at the Estadio de Sao Miguel.

In an action-packed first half, Brazilian forward Crysan put on a superb individual performance as he scored either side of Arsenio Nunes's 45th-minute equaliser to hand the hosts a rare win.

Prior to that, Nuno Campos's men failed to pick up a win in four consecutive games across all competitions, claiming one draw and losing three, including a humbling 6-0 defeat at the hands of Braga in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal on November 20.

Santa Clara's poor start to the season has been owing to their struggles at both ends of the pitch as they boast the division's worst defensive record with 26 goals conceded, while netting just 11 at the opposite end of the pitch.

However, Os Acoreanos will feel somewhat confident in claiming the desired results and moving out of the drop zone this weekend as they take on an opposing side who they are unbeaten against in three of the last four meetings between the teams, claiming two wins and one draw in that time.

Team News

Xadas remains the only injury concern for Maritimo after the Portuguese midfielder picked up a knee injury against Tondela back in November.

Veteran defender Zainadine Junior will serve his one-game suspension after picking up a red card in the game against Boavista last time out.

Brazilian forward Henrique staked his claim for a place in the starting XI after coming off the bench to grab a late leveler in the aforementioned game and the 28-year-old could be handed just his second start of the season.

Meanwhile, Santa Clara will once again have to cope without the services of Costinha, who picked up an Achilles tendon injury in August's game against Moreirense.

Another name on the club's injury table is Ruben Oliveira, who continues his long journey to full fitness after picking up a severe injury back in May.

Hidemasa Morita missed the game against Arouca last time out through COVID-19 and the Japanese midfielder will play no part in the game for the visitors.

Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Victor; China, Leo, Junior, Winck; Mendes, Beltrame; Guitane, Costa, Henrique; Tageue

Santa Clara possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Rodrigues, Afonso, Henrique, Mansur; Carvalho, Morita, Lincoln; Allano, Patric, Costa

We say: Maritimo 1-1 Santa Clara

With just one point separating the two sides in the bottom half of the standings, this game has all the makings of an absorbing contest. However, we are tipping both sides to cancel each other's efforts and settle for a share of the spoils as they head into the game.

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