**Real SC are looking to shake off a chaotic run and capitalize on home turf, but Académica Coimbra's recent struggles might be just enough to make this a cup upset special.** 🎪

Real SC have been all over the map lately — a dramatic 5-5 draw sandwiched between two clean sheets. Académica are in proper freefall, leaking goals left and right, though they somehow have the H2H edge (3 wins to 1 in their last four meetings). That's the twist here.

Key storylines:

- **Real SC's defense** will need to tighten up after that JD Lajense carnival; if they stay compact, Académica's porous backline is ripe for exploitation
- **Académica's recent form** is genuinely dire (3 losses in 5), and facing a pumped home crowd on Taça duty is a harsh ask for confidence
- The **head-to-head history** suggests Académica can nick a result — but only if they survive the opening 30 minutes

Expected lineups:

- **Real SC**: D. Santos, E. L. Nzomiwu, I. Muhammad, J. Veríssimo, M. Camará, A. Fernandes, A. Sousa, A. Legatheaux, C. Acosta, N. Butcher, N. Fati
- **Académica Coimbra**: C. Alves, H. Lopes, G. Silva, Kauan, A. Rodrigues, H. Nunes, J. Oliveira, L. Silva, A. Mané, M. Tavares, R. Gomes

Prediction:

**Real SC 2–1 Académica Coimbra.** Real's home form and Académica's leaky defense point to a Real edge, though the visitors' recent H2H success keeps it tense. 🔥