Moreirense will host Casa Pia in their first-ever meeting in the Primeira Liga. The hosts have their sights set on Europe. The Portuguese top division appears to be divided into three factions. Casa Pia, however, will only be trying to keep a healthy distance from the relegation zone.
Preview (Moreirense vs. Casa Pia)
Moreirense and Vitoria Guimaraes are in a two-horse battle for the two Europa Conference League slots. The top six will guarantee European football, barring an unexpected upset in either of the domestic cups. The two clubs sit well clear of seventh place. They don’t seem likely to contend for a spot in the top four. Moreirense is behind Guimaraes by three points and Braga by six. A massive eight-point difference separates them from Famalicao, who is one spot lower. The difference is due to an amazing 10-game winning streak for Rui Borges’ team. They haven’t dropped a game since visiting Sporting Lisbon in mid-September.
With seven clean sheets in ten games, Moreirense’s defense has been their pillar. In that span, they have scored 22 points, which is more than Porto. The two most noteworthy results in recent weeks have been their derby victory over Guimaraes and their 0-0 tie with Benfica. They have been able to handle the weaker teams with relative ease. They still have two more games remaining, against Casa Pia and Estoril. But in the upcoming weeks, things will get more difficult as Moreirense. They play Porto, Braga, and Sporting before mid-February. That run will most likely make or break their hopes of finishing in the top four.
Casa Pia’s goal is to avoid the drop zone because the bottom 11 is so tight. The visitors are only four points clear of an inevitable relegation berth, but they are also just two points from seventh place. Casa Pia fared admirably despite a difficult end to 2023, defeating Chaves and Portimonense to make up for their hard-fought 3-1 losses to Porto and Braga. However, it is undeniable that Casa Pia’s away form is what is now keeping them out of trouble. Despite having the fewest points at home right now, Pedro Moreira’s team has one of the best away records in the competition with eleven points from their eight games played.
Team News
The fact that Ponck and Kobamelo Kodisang, who were passed over by Cape Verde and South Africa, respectively, before the Africa Cup of Nations, may make an appearance here would please the Moreirense supporters. Andre Luis, the striker, has been the player of the month, winning three of their previous five games and scoring in each, even though they pride themselves on their defense. Clayton, a fellow Brazilian attacker for Casa Pia, has scored three goals in his past two games and now has six league goals, matching Andre Luis’ total. Due to injuries, Kiki will not be traveling with the visitors for this match; nonetheless, Yuki Soma of Japan and Beni of Angola were not included.
Moreirense 1-0 Casa Pia
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