Caldas SC
- Caldas SC will take a little confidence into Sunday’s relegation skirmish with S.U. 1º Dezembro after securing a much-needed 1-0 win at home to Académica last time out, but their winter form has been poor.
- Caldas coach José Vala has his side set up to play a high-tempo style of soccer with an aggressive pressing approach, good width and the ability to transition from defence to attack quickly.
- João ‘Tarzan’ Januário and Ewandro offer fresh attacking options, but Caldas are not a team that relies on a prolific striker for goals.
S.U. 1º Dezembro
- S.U. 1º Dezembro are in a similar situation, although they have drawn two and lost three of their last five league games.
- Coach Pedro Caneco has his team set up to be patient, possession-based players who structure their attacking play, play compact in midfield and create overloads wide.
- Dedé and Diogo Cardoso are 1º Dezembro’s main attacking outlets, usually starting and sharing the majority of the team’s limited goals.
Head-to-Head
Caldas and S.U. 1º Dezembro’s last six meetings have all been tight contests, featuring a 2 - 1 win for Caldas, a 2 - 0 win for S.U. 1º Dezembro and several draws.
Key Players
- Pepo has been an energetic presence as Caldas’ engine in midfield, usually starting in league and cup.
- João ‘Tarzan’ Januário and Ewandro offer fresh attacking options for Caldas.
- Dedé and Diogo Cardoso are 1º Dezembro’s main attacking outlets.
- Duarte Almeida, the young Caldas SC keeper, has had a solid campaign and came up with big saves in cup matches and in the league win over Académica.
- Fábio Duarte has come up with some big saves to keep 1º Dezembro in games they have not been able to finish off.
Betting Insights
- Caldas SC are the narrow favorites at 2.0, with S.U. 1º Dezembro available at 3.83 and the draw priced at 2.94.
- The odds of 1.43 for Under 2.5 goals might seem a little short, but Caldas SC and S.U. 1º Dezembro have both been involved in low-scoring games recently.
- The local winter weather could make for a scrappy game with the two teams set up in a way that should make for a tactical battle rather than an open match.
- Caldas are slightly better placed in eighth with about 18 points to their opponents’ 15-16, depending on the source.
Prediction
- Caldas are a narrow favourite for this game, but we feel the draw is a better option or a narrow home win, as long as the hosts play their best players with no major absences in the squad.
- Both teams are around mid-table and just outside the promotion places.
