Casa Pia Vs Estrela Amados

Casa Pia will be eager to bounce back from last week's setback against Santa Clara when they host relegation-threatened Estrela Amadora at Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior in an all-Lisbon Primeira Liga showdown this Sunday. After seeing their seven-match unbeaten streak come to an abrupt end, the home side will aim to reaffirm their dominance on home turf, where they have not tasted defeat since August. Meanwhile, their opponents, struggling in the lower reaches of the table, will look to defy the odds and claim a rare away triumph as they battle to secure their top-flight status.

The defeat to Santa Clara was a bitter pill to swallow for Casa Pia, particularly as it ended an impressive run that had seen them avoid defeat in seven consecutive matches, five of which were victories. Before that setback, Joao Pereira's men had established themselves as one of the league's most formidable sides, steadily climbing the table and proving difficult to beat. However, Santa Clara, who had previously been the last team to defeat them on home soil in late August, once again proved to be their nemesis, securing a second win over the Casapianos and preventing them from extending their unbeaten run to eight matches.

Despite the disappointment, Casa Pia have an opportunity to extend their impressive home form. The sixth-placed side have gone eight straight games at Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior without defeat, registering four wins and four draws during that spell. Their confidence on home soil was underscored by their stunning 3-1 victory over Benfica in late January, a match that saw them recover from an early Angel Di Maria goal to stage an emphatic turnaround. That result remains one of the highlights of their season, and they will hope to replicate that level of performance against Estrela Amadora.

However, history suggests Casa Pia cannot take their upcoming fixture lightly. Last season, they suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat in this very encounter, a result that Estrela Amadora will undoubtedly draw confidence from. The visitors, currently languishing in the relegation playoff spot, will be desperate to secure a positive result in their fight for survival.

Estrela Amadora, led by Jose Faria, arrive at this match facing a daunting challenge. Their season has been marred by inconsistency and a glaring inability to pick up points on their travels. With just 17 points from 20 matches, they find themselves in a precarious position. Alarmingly, only three of those points have come away from home, underlining their struggles when playing outside the familiar surroundings of Estadio Jose Gomes.

Their away form has been nothing short of disastrous. In nine matches away from Amadora, they have recorded six defeats and three draws, making them one of only three teams in the league yet to claim an away victory this season. Nacional, currently in 14th place, and newly promoted AVS, who have played out five draws and five defeats on their travels, share this unenviable record. Estrela's inability to win away from home has placed them in serious danger, and another defeat this weekend could see them drop further into the relegation quagmire.

The last time Estrela Amadora secured an away victory in the top flight was in this very fixture during the 2023-24 season. That narrow win remains their most recent success on the road, highlighting just how dire their situation has become. With relegation looming, they must find a way to defy their poor away record and claim much-needed points.

A seventh away disappointment this weekend could have severe consequences for Estrela Amadora. While they currently occupy the relegation playoff position, a loss could see them slip into the automatic relegation places if 17th-placed Farense manages to overcome Nacional in another crucial clash. The battle to avoid the drop is heating up, and Estrela cannot afford to let their struggles on the road define their fate.

For Casa Pia, this fixture presents an opportunity to cement their place in the upper half of the table. A win would not only help them recover from their recent setback but also reinforce their stronghold at Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior. Joao Pereira's side will take confidence from their ability to perform against top teams, as evidenced by their triumph over Benfica. If they can channel that same energy and determination, they stand a good chance of overcoming Estrela Amadora and continuing their push for a strong finish in the Primeira Liga.

While Casa Pia will be considered favorites, they must remain wary of complacency. The unpredictability of football means that even struggling sides can produce moments of magic when least expected. Estrela Amadora may be desperate, but desperation often fuels teams to push beyond their limits. If the visitors can find a way to improve their woeful away form, they could make life difficult for the hosts.

As the match approaches, fans can expect an intriguing contest between a side looking to recover from a rare defeat and another fighting for survival. Casa Pia will hope their home fortress remains unbreachable, while Estrela Amadora will seek to defy expectations and claim a crucial result in their battle against relegation.