Nacional vs Santa Clara Predictions

• Nacional’s only league win this season came at home
• Santa Clara have lost their last three away fixtures against Primeira Liga clubs
• Nacional have only been beaten twice in 12 outings at Estádio da Madeira in 2024

Can Nacional get a valuable win?

It would be fair to say Nacional have not enjoyed the best of times since returning to Portugal’s top flight, and they head into this game sitting in the Primeira Liga relegation zone.

However, there are reasons to be positive for the team from Madeira, whose only victory this season has come on home soil, beating Farense 2-0 in September.

They also have a magnificent record at Estádio da Madeira, losing just twice there in 12 outings of the course of 2024 (W8, D2).

Santa Clara’s away form is cause for concern

They will be hopeful of extending that run against visitors Santa Clara, against whom they went unbeaten in the league last season (W1, D1) as the two clubs were promoted together.

The Azoreans have adjusted somewhat better to the top flight, and head into this round in the top four, but their away form is becoming a real issue.

Vasco Matos’ side have lost three of their last four outings on the road, with the only victory during that time coming in the cup against fourth tier side Gondomar.

Otherwise, they were hammered 3-0 by Benfica in the Taca de Liga on Wednesday, while their last two Primeira Liga matches on the road have been losses to Moreirense (1-0) and Benfica (4-0).

I predict that Nacional will win this game, with 1-0 my correct score prediction.