Friday evening's Matchday 25 opener of the Primeira Liga sets the stage for a crucial relegation scrap as Estrela Amadora host Gil Vicente, with both sides battling to gain an edge in the fight for survival.

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Not the most explosive of spells, yet an upturn in form nonetheless, Estrela extended their unbeaten streak to three with a 1-1 stalemate at Moreirense last weekend.

Having snapped a six-match winless run of two draws and four defeats by securing their first league victory on the road this season at Boavista, followed by a goalless home draw against Santa Clara, the Tricolours looked poised for a second win in three games as they took the lead at Parque Moreira in the 55th minute through Kikas.

However, their hopes were dashed in the 78th minute when Sidnei Tavares struck to ensure both teams shared the spoils.

With that result, Estrela have now picked up more points (four) from their last two games on the road than they managed in their previous 10, where they had just three.

While the Tricolours have experienced an improvement in their away performances, their fortunes on home soil have taken a downturn, failing to secure victory in any of their last four matches at Estadio Jose Gomes, with just one draw in that stretch — a stark contrast to their four wins in the previous five.

However, Jose Faria's side can take confidence from their history in this matchup, having secured a 1-0 win in their only meeting at the ground.

Gil, on the other hand, will be hoping a change in leadership sparks a revival as they aim to secure their first-ever league double over Estrela, having claimed a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture last October.

Cesar Peixoto, appointed on March 2, just a week after his dismissal from Moreirense, takes charge of his first match with the immediate task of halting a six-game losing streak and setting the tone for a turnaround.

Gilistas's most recent setback came in the Taca de Portugal quarter-finals, where a 1-0 defeat against Sporting Lisbon ended their cup campaign.

Five of those losses have been in the Primeira Liga, with their latest top-flight outing ending in a 1-0 reverse at Casa Pia on February 22, dragging the Roosters closer to the danger zone.

Gil's troubles stem largely from their lack of cutting edge in the final third, having drawn blanks in five of their last six matches across all competitions, including each of the most recent four.

Their form on the road is equally concerning, as Peixoto's men sit at the foot of the league's away table, having collected just six points from 12 outings while netting only seven times in those fixtures – the joint-second fewest tally in the division.

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:

Andorinha; Ferro, Lopes, Lima; Travassos, Moreira, Ruiz, Montoia; Ronaldo, Kikas, Pinho

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Andrew; Cruz, Fernandes, Josue Sa, Mutombo; Fujimoto, Castillo, Marques; Bermejo, C Eduardo, Correia