Casa Pia set out in search of a third consecutive victory when they visit the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos to face Gil Vicente in round six of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.
The Gilistas head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their previous five games against the visitors and will be looking to extend this impressive eight-year streak.
Match preview
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Gil Vicente were involved in a share of the spoils for the third consecutive game as they played out a 1-1 draw with Famalicao when the two sides squared off at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao last Saturday.
Spanish forward Mario Gonzalez opened the scoring in the 14th minute to put Famalicao in front but 23-year-old forward Felix Correia struck four minutes into the second half to force a share of the spoils.
Having kicked off the season with a 3-0 defeat against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on August 10, Gil Vicente bounced back one week later when they picked up a 4-2 victory over AVS before playing out consecutive stalemates against Estoril Praia, Braga and Famalicao.
Bruno Pinheiro's men now return home, where they have managed just two wins from their last nine Primeira Liga matches while losing three and claiming four draws since the start of February.
Casa Pia, on the other hand, turned in a fine show of fighting spirit last Saturday when they fought back from behind to secure a 3-1 victory over Moreirense at the Estadio Pina Manique.
After falling behind to Madson Silva's 35th-minute opener, the hosts upped the ante after the break as Duplexe Tchamba, Raul Garcia Gonzalez and Nuno Moreira all hit the target to turn the game on its head.
Prior to that, Joao Pereira's men snapped their run of three consecutive defeats on August 31 when they secured a 1-0 victory over Estrela Amadora at the Estadio Jose Gomes courtesy of a second-half strike from Henrique Pereira.
Having secured a seventh-placed finish last season, Casa Pia have picked up six points from the first 15 available to sit 11th in the table, level on points with Rio Ave and Sunday's hosts.
While Casa Pia will be looking to make it three Primeira Liga wins on the bounce for the first time since October 2022, next up is the challenge of an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in their last six encounters, losing four and claiming one draw since October 2016.
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Team News
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Gil Vicente will take to the pitch without the services of Argentine midfielder Facundo Caseres, who has been ruled out since picking up a meniscus injury back in April.
Barring any late fitness issues, Caseres should be the only absentee for the Gilistas, giving Pinheiro the luxury of a relatively full-strength squad at his disposal.
With his assist against Famalicao, Kanya Fujimoto now has four goal contributions this season and the Japanese midfielder should retain his role in the XI, while Jordi Mboula, Caue and Correia should lead the hosts' attack once again.
Meanwhile, Portuguese forward Pereira was forced off injured in the 17th minute against Moreirense last time out and the Benfica loanee is a major doubt for Casa Pia.
In his absence, 25-year-old Moreira should return to the starting XI, forming the front three with summer signing Samuel Obeng and Spanish forward Blanco.
The attacking duo of Kiki Afonso and 23-year-old Claudio Mendes also continue their spells on the Casa Pia injury table and will play no part in this weekend's matchup.
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Ze Carlos, Mananga, Fernandes, Cruz; Fujimoto, Gbane, Castillo; Mboula, Caue, Correia
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Sequeira; Fonte, Goulart, Tchamba; Geraldes, Sousa, Lelo, Kraev; Blanco, Obeng, Moreira
We say: Gil Vicente 2-2 Casa Pia
After stumbling into the season, Casa Pia have bounced back with two consecutive victories and will head into the weekend with sky-high confidence. However, Pinheiro's men have been tough to crack on home turf and we predict that they will do just enough to force a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
