Nacional da MadeiravsMoreirense FC

Nacional da Madeira's Struggles at Home

Nacional da Madeira has been enduring a challenging season, currently sitting in 15th place in the Primeira Liga. Their recent performances have been a mixed bag, with a commendable 0-0 draw against FC Porto followed by a 3-1 victory over U.D. Vilafranquense. However, their 2-0 defeat to Sporting CP highlighted their defensive vulnerabilities, especially in away games where they concede an average of 1.89 goals per match. At home, Nacional has struggled, failing to win in their last seven matches and losing three in a row. Their home record this season stands at 0-0-3, and they have not scored in one of their three home matches. The team's top scorer, Jesus Andres Ramirez Diaz, has managed only four goals, and they will need to improve their attacking output to secure a better league position.

Moreirense FC's Inconsistent Form

Moreirense FC, on the other hand, finds themselves in 8th place, with a total of 23 points from 18 matches. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with a string of draws and losses. They recently drew 0-0 against Farense, reflecting their struggles in finding consistent form. Moreirense has averaged 1.22 goals per game, with Guilherme Schettine being their top scorer with five goals. The team's defensive record is concerning, as they have kept only six clean sheets in 27 matches, and both teams have scored in 16 of those games. Recent signings like Joel Jorquera and Ivo Rodrigues aim to bolster the squad, but the team needs to address their defensive vulnerabilities to climb the league table.

Head-to-Head and Historical Trends

Historically, Moreirense FC has had the upper hand in meetings with Nacional da Madeira. In the last 24 encounters, Moreirense has won 14 times, while Nacional has managed only four victories. When playing at Nacional's home, Moreirense has won seven out of 12 matches, with the most common result being a 0-1 victory for Moreirense. The average number of goals in these meetings is 2.6, with Moreirense scoring 1.6 goals per game against Nacional. Both teams have struggled in their recent matches, with neither winning their last game in Liga Portugal.

Prediction and Conclusion

Given the current form and historical trends, Moreirense FC appears to have the edge in this matchup. Nacional's struggles at home, combined with Moreirense's better overall performance in the league, suggest that Moreirense is likely to secure an away victory. However, both teams have shown vulnerabilities in defense, making it probable that both teams will score. Therefore, the prediction is for an 'away' win with both teams scoring.