Estoril sold two first choice centre-backs who are yet to be replaced and that could be a big problem. Famalicao had a strong preseason and can maintain the momentum in the season opener.
HTH
These clubs have met on 32 occasions, Estoril holding a narrow 14-12 lead alongside six draws.
Famalicao have won four straight, three of those victories coming with a clean sheet.
New Era For Estoril
Estoril finished 10th in the Liga last season, 53% of their games going over 3.5 goals. Manager Ian Cathro left the club and has been replaced by former Santa Clara manager Vasco Matos.
The Canaries played six preseason friendless and failed to score in three of them. One of those ended in a 0-0 draw against Championship side Wolverhampton.
Antef Tsoungui, Yanis Begraoui and André Lacximicant scored in a 3-0 win against Mafra, their best result by some margin.
Defensive Strength Continues For Famalicao
Famalicao are coming off a solid campaign, finishing fifth in the Liga. They didn’t score many goals but were solid at the back, conceding just 29 goals.
Manager Hugo Oliveira left to join Strasbourg but his departure has been offset by the experienced Carlos Carvalhal joining the club.
The northern club continued their impressive defence in the preseason, keeping seven consecutive clean sheets. They were eventually broken down in their final friendly, a 3-2 defeat against Serie A side Como.
Predicted Lineups & Team News
Estoril (4-3-3) Martin Turk; Ricard Sánchez, Antef Tsoungui, Ferro, Gonçalo Costa; Xeka, Jandro Orellana, Jordan Holsgrove; Rafik Guitane, Yanis Begraoui, João Carvalho
Centre-backs Felix Bacher and Kévin Boma were sold for a combined €7m which leaves two big holes in defence.
Left-back Pedro Amaral was released with Fernando Medrano joining from Mirandés.
Alejandro Marqués joined Granada on a free transfer and it remains to be seen if star striker Yanis Begraoui will remain at the club. The Moroccan is reportedly wanted by Millwall, Almería and Saint-Étienne who are now managed by Ian Cathro.
Famalicao (4-2-3-1) Lazar Carevic; Rodrigo Pinheiro, Léo Realpe, Finn van Breemen, Pedro Bondo; Tom van de Looi, Mathias de Amorim; Gil Dias, Pedro Santos, Óscar Aranda; Georgios Koutsias
Tom van de Looi is doubtful here with Marcos Peña a chance to start in midfield.
Famalicao’s defence has been weakened with Justin de Haas and Rafa Soares leaving on free transfers and Ibrahima Ba sold to Sporting CP for €21.25m.
Highly rated attacking midfielder Gustavo Sá joined Nottingham Forest for €20m and Simon Elisor left for Romanian club Universitatea Craiova.
Reinforcements have arrived in the form of Finn van Breemen, Tamás Szűcs and Greek striker Georgios Koutsias who is set to lead the line.
Vojin Serafimovic, Leny Meyer, Paulo Moreira and Mathis Jangéal have also joined the club.