Seeking to move into the Europa Conference League qualifying spot, Vitoria de Guimaraes journey to the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos to face Gil Vicente on Sunday.
Having picked up a 2-1 victory in August's reverse fixture, Os Vimaranenses will also be looking to complete a first league double over the home side since the 2004-05 campaign.
Match preview
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Gil Vicente turned in another solid display in what has been a fine start to the new year as they picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory over Portimonense last Sunday.
In a one-sided affair at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao, Brazilian forward Murilo Souza put the visitors ahead on the stroke of half time before Juventus loanee Felix Correia doubled the lead with nine minutes left to play.
Gil Vicente have now gone unbeaten in four of their last five outings across all competitions, picking up one draw and three wins, including a 3-1 victory over Amarante in the Taca de Portugal fifth round on January 10.
This fine run of form has seen Vitor Campelos's men surge from the bottom end of the Primeira Liga table as now sit 11th, tied on 19 points with Casa Pia and Arouca, and could move level with eighth-placed Famalicao with all three points this weekend.
Gil Vicente's home form has been key in their resurgence as they head into the weekend unbeaten in eight consecutive games at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, picking up four wins and four draws since August's 3-2 loss against second-placed Benfica.
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Vitoria de Guimaraes, on the other hand, continue to stake their claim for European football as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over 10-man Estrela Amadora at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques last time out.
In a game where midfielder Hevertton Santos received his marching orders, the front three of Nuno Santos, Jota Silva and Andre Silva all found the back of the net to hand the hosts a comfortable victory.
Alvaro Pacheco's side have now picked up three wins on the trot and have gone nine consecutive games without defeat across all competitions, claiming seven wins and two draws since suffering back-to-back defeats against Moreirense and Porto in November.
This impressive run has seen Vitoria de Guimaraes reach the quarter-finals of the Taca de Portugal, where they will play host to Gil Vicente at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques on February 8.
Os Vimaranenses have picked up 11 wins, three draws and lost four of their 18 Primeira Liga matches so far to collect 36 points and sit fifth in the table, level on points with fourth-placed Braga in the Europa Conference League qualification spot.
Team News
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Gil Vicente remain without the services of 24-year-old striker Depu, who is currently away with the Angola national team at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Ivory Coast midfielder Mory Gbane will also play no part in Sunday's game due to a one-game suspension after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Portimonense last time out.
On the injury front, the Gilistas will be without the duo of 33-year-old goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk and midfielder Pedro Tiba, who continue their spells on the sidelines.
As for Guimaraes, Pacheco will be unable to call upon the services of Cape Verde midfielder Telmo Arcanjo, who continues his long road to full fitness after suffering a severe injury last May.
Tiago Silva, who has three goals and four assists in the league this season, is also out of contention for the visitors after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend.
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Ze Carlos, Fernandes, Silva, Boas; Neto, Fujimoto, Castillo; Souza, Dominguez, Correia
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Fernandes, Borevkovic, Ribeiro; Gaspar, D Silva, Handel, Mangas; J Silva, Santos, A Silva
We say: Gil Vicente 1-3 Vitoria de Guimaraes
Vitoria de Guimaraes have enjoyed an impressive campaign and will be dreaming of securing a return to Europe. Gil Vincente have hit their stride in recent weeks, but while we expect the Gilistas to put up a fight, we fancy Pacheco's men to come away with the desired result.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
