Estoril — Nacional Madeira : Match Preview and Prediction for October 26,2025

Estoril’s Challenging Season So Far

Estoril’s position in the league table truly speaks for itself. They find themselves in 16th place after eight rounds, having collected a mere six points. The team has managed to secure only a single victory across their eight encounters this season.Their statistics paint a stark picture of the struggles. In 15 of their last 20 matches, Estoril has failed to register a win. Even playing on home turf offers little solace: they have not won in 7 of their last 9 home games. While they did defeat Belenenses 2-1 in a recent Cup match, it was a hard-fought victory against a third-division side, clinched only in the 90+4 minute, indicating persistent difficulties.Head coach Ian Cathro publicly states that the team isn’t nervous, yet he quickly acknowledges, “It’s a reality that we don’t have many points.” Such statements are often attempts to save face amidst underwhelming performances. The team concedes frequently, notably from penalties, having already given away 4 goals from the spot – the second-worst record in the league. Simultaneously, they create very few scoring opportunities, ranking 16th in the league for goal-scoring chances generated.Adding to their on-field problems are significant personnel issues. Pedro Amaral, one of the team’s captains and a key defender who started in seven of eight league matches, will be sidelined due to a muscle injury. His absence on the left flank of defense is a considerable blow. The participation of forward Rafik Guitane, who has already scored two goals this season, also remains questionable.

Nacional Madeira’s Resurgent Form

A completely different narrative unfolds for the visitors from Madeira. Nacional are comfortably holding their own in mid-table, occupying 9th place with 10 points. The team has gained momentum and approaches this match on the back of a three-game winning streak across all competitions. In the , they secured two spirited comeback victories: a thrilling 3-2 win against Moreirense and, notably, a 1-0 away triumph over Braga.Defeating Braga on their home ground is a powerful statement. Nacional has proven their capability on the road, a fact supported by their overall statistics: the team has avoided defeat in 6 of their last 8 away matches. They appear to be a well-organized and physically robust collective. Consider their metrics: they rank first in the league for both interceptions and aerial duels won.In attack, they boast a clear leader. Venezuelan forward Jesús Ramírez is in superb form; his brace, in particular, sealed the victory in the last league match against Moreirense. Coach Tiago Margarido emphasizes that the team has meticulously prepared for the match, even accounting for potential weather conditions and the strong winds at Estoril’s stadium, which caused them problems last season.