Santa Clara vs Moreirense Prediction: Expect A Low-scoring Draw And Crucial Away Goal

Santa Clara vs Moreirense: Prediction for the Match on August 17, 2025

Santa Clara will welcome Moreirense to the Estadio de Sao Miguel in the second round of the Primeira Liga. Who's going to come out on top? Let us check out the match preview, team news, and betting odds to place your bets!

Santa Clara: Form and Statistics

Santa Clara are out to restore what little is left of their confidence after falling to a 3-0 away defeat at the hands of Famalicao in the league opener. Despite being the better side in all aspects of the game, it all came down to the creativity in the final third.

After that league result, the Azoreans once again failed to impress in the final third, this time against Larne in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round. 

Favored to win by a significant margin in front of their home crowd, Vasco Matos' charges could only settle for a goalless draw. At the end of the day, they managed to secure a ticket to the play-off round thanks to a 3-0 aggregate success. 

Santa Clara: Team News

Santa Clara have no fresh injury news to report on heading into this clash. This means they come into this match with a clean bill of health.

The home team is likely to opt for a 3-5-2 setup. The back three, consisting of Sidney Lima, Luis Rocha, and MT, are tasked with protecting the defense.

In the attacking department, all eyes will be on the duo of Wendell and Vinicius Lopes to rattle the net.

🔖 Probable Starting XI (3-5-2): Gabriel Batista; Lima, Rocha, MT; Brenner, Serginho, Adriano Firmino, Ferreira, Matheus Pereira; Wendell, Vinicius Lopes. 

⛔️ Out: None.

👤 Head coach: Vasco Matos.

Moreirense: Form and Statistics

Moreirense already have Santa Clara figured out and will want to capitalise on their shortcomings in front of the goal. In contrast, the visitors began the 2025-26 Primeira Liga season on a positive note. 

Os verdes e brancos' opponents in the league opener were newly-promoted Alverca. However, it wasn't a walk in the park with their mistake rating the new boys too low. They had to scrap for the three points in a 2-1 home victory courtesy of Yan Maranhao's effort deep into second-half stoppage time.

Vasco Botelho da Costa's men are on the road this time seeking a second consecutive league win. That will be easier said than done, considering their performance in this fixture. You will have to go back to 2014 for their last away triumph against Santa Clara. Since then, it has been a turbulent period, navigating seven matches without victory.

Moreirense: Team News

Moreirense have one player in the injury room, and that's Guilherme Liberato, who is out nursing a knee injury. Michel remains inactive for the visitors.

Following the 2-1 win over Alverca in the league opener, head coach Cesar Peixoto has made two changes to the starting lineup heading into this upcoming encounter. Bernardo and Jorquera Romero are the players who will get to start off the bench, while Mateja Stjepanovic and Kiko Bondoso will sit this one out.

Guilherme Schettine is once again leading the attack in a 4-2-3-1 setup. The 29-year-old will be out to extend his goal tally to two this season, having scored in the previous outing. 

🔖 Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Caio; Pinto, Maracas, Marcelo, Kiko; Bernardo, Ofori; Jorquera Romero, Alanzinho, Teguia; Guilherme Schettine.

⛔️ Out: Guilherme Liberato (knee injury), Michel (inactive).

👤 Head coach: Vasco Botelho da Costa.

Santa Clara vs Moreirense: Head-To-Head Statistics

In the last 22 meetings, Santa Clara have won 7 times, Moreirense have won 7 times, and there have been 8 draws. The goal difference is 25-22 in favor of Santa Clara. 

Santa Clara vs Moreirense: Betting Tips & Odds

• Santa Clara have scored first in three of their last four home matches across all competitions. You can bet on Santa Clara to score first for 1.66 at Betway.
• Santa Clara and Moreirense have seen each of their last three matches in the Primeira Liga end with under 2.5 goals. You can bet on under 2.5 goals for 1.42 at 1xbet.
• Moreirense have drawn each of their last three away league games against Santa Clara. You can bet on a draw at the sound of the final whistle for 3.20 at Bet365.

Santa Clara vs Moreirense match prediction 17 August 2025

Santa Clara's form across all competitions has been a rollercoaster. Despite being favorites in this upcoming clash, I believe this could turn out to be a cagey affair. Their opponents have been a difficult team to beat in recent meetings, with just one win in their last five league games.

Moreirense, on the other hand, have avoided defeat in three league meetings against Santa Clara. Each of those outings ended level, and I see them being content with a point in this one. However, for my main prediction, I'm backing them to score a goal, having done so in each of their last two away league games in this fixture. At the same time, I believe this could end up being a low-scoring draw.

Our match prediction: Total 2 - Over 0.5 for a coefficient of 1.84 in the 1xbet bookmaker.

Our betting tip on the match: Both Teams To Score - Yes for a coefficient of 2.30 in the Betway bookmaker.

Our final betting tip on the match: Correct Score - 1:1 for a coefficient of 6.50 in the Bet365 bookmaker.