Newly-promoted Estrela Amadora begin their Primeira Liga campaign against Vitoria de Guimaraes at Estadio Jose Gomes on Sunday.

Sergio Vieira's remit is to secure the home side's top-flight status, while Vitoria seek to better last season's sixth-placed finish.

Match preview

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The Tricolours are back in the big time since the club went extinct 12 years ago, and a new side was created only three years ago.

Vieira was appointed last summer, but the 40-year-old was able to guide the club to safety in his first season with the club from Amadora, and he must now secure their league status.

They have faced a tough preseason, failing to pick up a victory, losing three of their five games, although they secured a creditable 3-3 draw with last season's runners-up Porto.

A 3-1 defeat in the Taca da Liga first round against Portimonense means Estrela are out of the domestic cup this term and have league survival to concentrate on in 2023-24.

Estrela won seven of their 17 regular-season games at Estadio Jose Gomes last season — a number that must improve with the competition far superior to what they faced in the second division.

For their part, Vitoria have broken into the top six in Portugal's top division — ending sixth in consecutive seasons — after seventh and eighth-place finishes in 2019-20 and 2020-21, respectively.

That guaranteed Os Vimaranenses a shot at Europa Conference League participation, but Moreno's team exited the competition in the second qualifying round to Celje, despite winning 4-3 in Slovenia.

A 1-0 loss in Portugal sent the game to extra time and penalties, with Moreno's team missing their opening two spot kicks in the eventual defeat.

That leaves the Conquerors with the league and domestic cup for the season, and they will look to improve on their final position in the previous two campaigns.

Winning just once in the off-season does not bode well, and neither does an away record from last season that saw the club from Guimaraes claim only six road wins.

Team News

Gustavo Henrique is a doubt for Estrela, and it is touch and go for the forward, who could make the bench at the weekend.

Ronaldo Tavares should beat Kikas to a starting berth for a central striking role in the opening gameweek.

Tomas Handel got a red card on the final day against Porto, and the central midfielder is absent for Sunday's game.

Tomas Ribeiro is expected to replace Andre Amaro in defence after the latter's sale to Al-Rayyan this week.

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Brigido; Felipe, Mansur, Gaspar, Lopes, Reis; N'Do, Vito, Sa, Jaba; Tavares

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Villanueva, Ribeiro, Fernandes; Maga, D. Silva, T. Silva, Andre, Freitas; J. Silva; A. Silva

We say: Estrela Amadora 1-2 Vitoria de Guimaraes

Despite the excitement at Estrela's promotion, the new side are expected to suffer a defeat at the hands of Vitoria in the opening gameweek, with the Conquerors picking up their first road victory of the season.


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