Head-to-Head
Académica de Coimbra have won four of the last seven head-to-head meetings in all competitions, including a 3-1 victory over Santarem in the Liga 3 Promotion Group in February 2026 .
Santarém (home)
- Santarém’s attacking game is built around the flanks, where they will send players forward on the break, but also in possession to get wide players in the box.
- They tend to be a little more direct and can be dangerous on the counter with their pace.
- Santarem arrive on the back of a mixed run in the Promotion Group and should have the confidence to upset the odds.
Académica de Coimbra (away)
- Académica de Coimbra are the favorites to win Sunday’s clash against Santarem, although the odds for both teams to win are quite similar.
- Académica are 2.05 to take the win, while the home side are 3.52 and the draw is 3.3.
- Académica’s game is based around disciplined build-up play, where they like to get the ball forward quickly and use their wingers to stretch the opposing defense.
Santarém
- Manu provides the main attacking threat and has been clinical when it mattered this season, scoring decisive goals earlier in the campaign with late runs and sharp finishing.
- Bruno Ventura and Pedro Pereira are the two most likely candidates to chip in with a goal or an assist for Santarém, providing the platform for Manu while also offering defensive solidity to the midfield.
Académica de Coimbra
- Khalid Hachadi has scored more goals than any other player at the club this term and is their main playmaker as he is often the link between defence and attack.
- Leandro Silva and Camilo Triana offer a similar combination for Académica and will be key to breaking down Santarém's lines, while also providing stability when the team is forced to defend deep.
Betting Insights
Our selection of Under 2.5 goals at 1.67 is based on the recent trends of the teams and the big game tension that will almost certainly affect them on Sunday.
Prediction
With two very different tactical approaches and a lot at stake in terms of promotion, this match should be a tight, tense affair .
