CD Mafra
- CD Mafra are second in Liga 3, Group B with 30 points from 16 games, compared to Santarem’s 21.
- Mafra are unbeaten in their last five league games, with three wins and two draws.
- Orest Shala has instilled a high-octane, proactive style on Mafra since taking over in July 2025 and they have become a very efficient pressing machine, especially on their own turf.
- The 4-3-3 system plays wide and plays deep with plenty of players to help in transition, so they will try to dominate the ball and force Santarem into mistakes.
- Mafra’s home stats are impressive with 1.88 goals scored and only 0.62 conceded per game on average.
Santarem
- Mafra are second with 30 points from 16 games, compared to Santarem’s 21.
- Santarem have won two and drawn three of their last five league matches.
- Carlos Fernandes has been more disciplined in his approach since taking charge of the visitors in December 2023 and has them set up to be very hard to beat.
- They prefer to control the ball in the middle of the pitch and are patient in their build-up play, but will launch the occasional accurate pass to put them on the attack.
- Santarem have a recent away record of three wins, two draws and three defeats in eight Group B away outings.
Key Players
Eberth Nogueira is Santarem’s leading scorer with two goals, both from midfield in 12 league appearances, but he tends to chip in with assists more than anything else and can be relied upon to do something to keep the game even in the second half.
Betting Insights
- The hosts are clear favorites to win at 1.75, but the market also offers Santarem at 4.78 or a draw at 3.4 for a double chance approach.
- While Mafra are unbeaten at home, they have won six and drawn two of their eight games at their ground.
- Backing Under 2.5 goals at 1.61 could be the way to go if you think this will be a cagey contest.
Prediction
- Mafra are a strong team with good players in all areas and they are in better form, so we believe Shala’s men can edge out a win in a close and tense encounter.
- A conservative betting angle is Under 2.5 goals at 1.61 or a double chance covering a draw and Santarem for better value.
