MX23RW : Monday, December 23 20:32:33| >> :600:59266195:59266195:
[monks data]
Belenenses
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 18
Feb 8, 2021 at 9pm UK
Estádio do Restelo
Vitoria de Guimaraes

Belenenses
1 - 1
Guimaraes

Cassierra (30')
Silva (12'), Lima (37'), Henrique (64')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Estupinan (41')
Sacko (23'), Mensah (25')

Preview: Belenenses vs. Vitoria de Guimaraes - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Monday's Primeira Liga clash between Belenenses and Vitoria de Guimaraes, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Belenenses host Vitoria de Guimaraes in Primeira Liga action on Monday evening, with the visitors looking to continue their unbeaten away record in the league.

They will also be hoping to extend their unbeaten league run to six matches in this game, while the home side will be looking to gain some crucial distance from the relegation zone.


Match preview

Belenenses' Miguel Cardoso celebrates scoring their first goal with Afonso Gamelas in December 2020© Reuters

Monday's hosts will be hoping to break a run which has seen them pick up just five points in their last eight league outings.

That run has seen them slip down to 12th place in the Primeira Liga, with a tally of 16 points from 17 games.

Despite their seemingly secure league position, Os Azuis do Restelo currently sit just two points above the relegation zone, given how tight the bottom half of the division is this season.

Their position in the battle for survival is largely due to a disappointing attacking record so far this season, with their eight league goals fewer than any other side in the division.

However, Belenenses have shown themselves to be a strong defensive outfit, with only two sides in the league conceding fewer than the 14 they have shipped, Vitoria being one of those teams.

That was reflected in their most recent result, a commendable 0-0 draw with second-placed Porto, when despite the Dragoes dominating the affair, Belenenses held out against the defending champions, thanks to a resilient defensive performance.

They will be hoping to carry that defensive solidity into this game, as they face a very tough test against a side in a strong run of form.

Vitoria will be hoping to continue their run, which has seen them cement themselves in the top six of the Primeira Liga.

In the last five matches, Joao Henriques's side have picked up 11 points, winning three games and drawing the other two.

They secured wins over Maritimo, Nacional and Famalicao, while they most recently saw out a commendable draw with Portuguese giants Benfica.

That has seen the side from Guimaraes move to within six points of the league's top three, with a game in hand on all the sides above them.

It is their strong defence that has seen Vitoria remain in the top six, with only Sporting Lisbon conceding fewer than their 13.

That will be encouraging for Henriques, especially given that they are taking on the league's worst attack, and he will be confident that his side can secure another clean sheet in this encounter.

Belenenses Primeira Liga form: DLLWLD
Belenenses form (all competitions): WLWLLD

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form: LDWWWD


Team News

The hosts remain without several key players carrying long-term injuries, with defenders Eduardo Kau, Chima Akas and Nilton Varela all sidelined for the majority of the season.

However, they have no new concerns to deal with coming into this game, with Petit expected to name a similar side to the team that drew 0-0 with Porto.

The away side picked up Ruben Lameiras from Famalicao in a January deal, with the attacker having four goals and an assist for his old club in the league this season.

Lameiras will be joined in attack by Oscar Estupinan, who has five goals and an assist in six games since his introduction to the side, and the Colombian will be hoping to continue his prolific run of scoring in this game.

Belenenses possible starting lineup:
Kritsyuk; Silva, Henrique, Ribeiro; Esgaio, Phete, Taira, Lima; Cardoso, Varela, Sousa

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Trmal; Sacko, Fernandes, Mumin, Mensah; Andre, Almeida, Luis; Lameiras, Estupinan, Quaresma


SM words green background

We say: Belenenses 0-2 Vitoria de Guimaraes

We can see the visitors extending their good run of form with another win here, thanks to their strong defence and improving attacking quality.

The sixth-placed side should shut out Belenenses' struggling attack, while the attack of Lameiras, Estupinan and Ricardo Quaresma should find a way through a decent defence, sealing the win for their side.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



ID:434097:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6774:
Written by
Sam Varley

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Vitoria de Guimaraes win with a probability of 49.97%. A draw had a probability of 27.3% and a win for Belenenses had a probability of 22.75%.

The most likely scoreline for a Vitoria de Guimaraes win was 0-1 with a probability of 14.72%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (10.34%) and 1-2 (8.8%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (12.52%), while for a Belenenses win it was 1-0 (8.91%). The actual scoreline of 1-1 was predicted with a 12.5% likelihood.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Belenenses vs Guimaraes

Belenenses
15.2%
Draw
15.2%
Vitoria de Guimaraes
69.7%
66
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Sporting Lisbon's Pedro Goncalves celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates in January 2021
Read Next:
Monday's Primeira Liga predictions including Sporting Lisbon vs. Benfica
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon15121243103337
2Porto1512123692737
3Benfica1411213482635
4Braga1584327161128
5Santa ClaraSanta Clara159061615127
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes146441814422
7Casa Pia155551618-220
8MoreirenseMoreirense156271922-320
9FamalicaoFamalicao154741817119
10Gil Vicente154561724-717
11Rio AveRio Ave144461525-1016
12Estoril PraiaEstoril143561221-914
13AVS152761122-1113
14BoavistaBoavista152671019-912
15Nacional14338819-1112
16Estrela Amadora143381224-1212
17SC FarenseFarense15339921-1212
18AroucaArouca153210926-1711


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!