Two sides separated by just one point in the bottom half of the Portuguese Primeira Liga table go head to head this weekend as Gil Vicente play host to Nacional on Saturday.
The Alvinegros have failed to win their last six visits to the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, losing four and picking up two draws since a 2-1 victory in March 2014, and will head into the weekend looking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
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Gil Vicente continue to struggle for results in the bottom half of the Primeira Liga table as they suffered a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Vitoria de Guimaraes on Monday.
In a one-sided affair at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques, goals from Jesus Ramirez, Manuel Silva, Nelson Oliveira and a second-half own goal from Sandro Cruz saw Guimaraes cruise to their sixth win of the campaign.
Before that, the Gilistas booked their spot in the fifth round of the Taca de Portugal on November 24, when they secured a 2-0 win over Campeona de Portugal outfit Vila Real courtesy of second-half goals from Ze Carlos and Jordi Mboula.
With Monday's result, Gil Vicente have now lost each of their most recent four Primeira Liga matches, conceding 11 goals and scoring four since a 3-0 home victory over Estrela Amadora on October 5.
After three back-to-back games on the road, Bruno Pinheiro's men now return home, where they are unbeaten in all but one of their last seven matches, claiming three wins and three draws since mid-April.
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On the other hand, Nacional were guilty of a lack of cutting edge at the attacking end of the pitch as they played out a goalless draw against Boavista when the sides met last Monday.
Despite seeing over 60% of the ball possession and having 22 shots at the Estadio da Madeira, the Alvinegros failed to beat Cesar Dutra in goal for Boavista as they settled for their third stalemate of the league campaign.
Nacional have now failed to win eight of their last 10 matches across all competitions — losing six and picking up two draws — with a 2-0 home victory over Santa Clara on November 4 being the exception.
Having gained promotion from the Segunda Liga last term, Tiago Margarido's men have picked up nine points from their 11 Primeira Liga games to sit 15th in the standings, one point and two placed below Saturday's hosts.
Nacional's slow start to the campaign has been owing to their struggles on their travels, where they are yet to taste victory in any of their eight matches across all competitions this season, losing six and picking up two draws so far.
Team News
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Gil Vicente remain without the services of South Africa international Sphephelo Sithole, who picked up an injury while on international duty against South Sudan in September.
He is joined on the Gilistas' injury table by 23-year-old midfielder Facundo Caseres, who has been out of action since picking up a severe meniscus injury back in April.
While they struggled in attack against Boavista last time out, Nacional were rock-solid at the back and we expect Margarido to name an unchanged back four of Jose Gomes, Ulisses, Ze Vitor and Palmeiras loanee Gustavo Garcia.
Matheus Dias has started all 11 Primeira Liga matches this season and the 22-year-old should retain his role at the centre of the park, teaming up with Luis Esteves and Tunisian midfielder Chiheb Labidi.
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Ze Carlos, Sa, Fernandes, Cruz; Castillo, Gbane; Correia, Fujimoto, Toure; Caue
Nacional possible starting lineup:
Franca; Garcia, Ze Vitor, Ulisses, Gomes; Esteves, Dias, Soumare; Appiah, Isaac, Thomas
We say: Gil Vicente 2-1 Nacional
With just one point separating Gil Vicente and Nacional in the bottom half of the table, we expect both sides to go all out at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos as they look to get one over the other. Margarido's men have struggled to get going on the road and we fancy the Gilistas 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
