Maritimo v Estrela Amadora

Maritimo vs Estrela Preview

Sunday evening brings us a Portuguese showdown at the Estádio dos Barreiros with Primeira Liga side, Maritimo, taking on Segunda Liga side, Estrela, for the right to Portuguese top flight football next season and whether the hosts remain a top flight club or Estrela take their place.

Maritimo finished third from bottom in this season's Primeira Liga and eight points adrift of Portimonense and safety in what was a particularly disappointing campaign for the hosts who managed to capture a total of just seven wins throughout the whole campaign.

Maritimo's top flight status now hinges upon this return leg at their Estádio dos Barreiros with the hosts 2-1 down after the recent 1st leg defeat away at Estrela, and having won just once in their last seven matches overall, Maritimo look to have their work cut out here.

Five defeats within this period suggest Maritimo could be bowing out of the Primeira Liga following recent losses to Famalicao, Vitoria Guimaraes, Sporting Lisbon, Estoril and Estrela, but the goals market looks appealing as six of Maritimo's last seven games have seen both teams score (85.7%).

Estrela finished in third place at the end of the Portuguese Segunda Liga season and therefore have qualified for this relegation/promotion play-off tie with Maritimo and the visitors find themselves just 90 minutes away from securing a place in next season's Portuguese top flight.

Estrela have been in pretty solid form since mid-December of last year as the visitors have lost just twice in their previous 23 matches overall in all competitions, both losses incidentally coming in the form of defeats on home soil at their Estádio José Gomes with losses to Moreirense and Nacional.

However, 12 wins and nine draws suggest Estrela may again find the edge in this 2nd leg tie at the Estádio dos Barreiros but the possibility of a draw also cannot be ruled out, while the goals market also looks promising as six of Estrela's last 10 matches have also resulted in both teams scoring.

In addition, seven of Estrela's last 10 away matches have also resulted in both teams scoring and includes no fewer than four draws as well.

Maritimo v Estoril Verdict

Maritimo know they must win this 2nd leg in order to have any chance of retaining their Portuguese top flight status while Estrela bring an unbeaten run of 11 away games under their belts into this decisive return leg at the Estádio dos Barreiros.

Both teams scored in last week's 1st leg and it looks likely that both teams will hit the back of the net again on Sunday evening in what could end a possible score-draw.

Therefore, our main bet will be Both Teams To Score Yes @ 1.83

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.50

Correct score: 1-1 @ 7.00