Monday night's fixture in the Primeira Liga brings us a mid-table battle at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos where Gil Vicente will be playing host to Rio Ave.
These two sides are separated by just a single point in the league standings, with the hosts currently on 18 and the visitors on 19 after 16 matches.
Match preview
© Imago
Gil Vicente closed 2024 on an upward trajectory, with their last match of the year ending in a 1-1 draw away to Arouca, marking their fourth consecutive league game without defeat.
Mory Gbane opened his account for the season with the team's only goal in that match, and it looked as though Galos were en route to victory until the 81st minute when Guven Yalcin levelled proceedings.
During their current unbeaten run, Bruno Pinheiro's side also held Sporting Lisbon to a goalless draw and beat Nacional and Faranse, meaning they have the joint-third-best record in the division over the last four matchdays.
The hosts have done their best work at home this season, losing only once in seven games at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, while earning 12 of their 18-point tally from the other six matches at the venue (W3 D3 L1).
However, Gil Vicente have struggled against their upcoming opponents in recent seasons, having lost their last encounter 3-0, marking their fourth consecutive match without victory dating back to April 2021.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Rio Ave failed to win any of their first three matches of December (W0 D1 L2), but managed to end the year on a positive note with a solid 2-1 victory at home to Nacional last weekend.
Clayton once again led the team by scoring both goals in the match, taking his tally for the season to nine, which ranks third in the leading goal-scorer standings behind Viktor Gyokeres and Samu Aghehowa.
The impact of the Brazilian forward has been huge for Vilacondenses this season, as he has netted more than half of the side's goals to date (nine of 17), including five in their last six games.
While the visitors have been the better side in this fixture in recent times, their away record this term suggests that they might find it difficult to maintain their unbeaten record against this opponent.
In eight league matches on the road, Petit's side has failed to score a goal in six games and managed only one win, which came against second-bottom Boavista at the start of November.
Team News
© Imago
Gil Vicente have just two players ruled out for this match due to injury in the form of Angolan international Sandro Cruz (muscle) and South African midfielder Yaya Sithole (cruciate ligament).
Kazu has started every match at left-back since Cruz's injury and should retain his spot in the back four alongside Josue Sa, Ruben Fernandes and Ze Carlos, with Gbane operating in the pivot.
Rio Ave could also have two players sidelined through injury for this match, with Jonathan Panzo only expected to return from a knee issue in a few weeks, while Francisco Petrasso is flagged as a doubt.
Brandon Aguilera was deployed in a deeper role alongside Demir Tiknaz against Nacional last time out, and given the positive result from that match, Petit may consider the same tactic here, which would see Kiko Bondoso partner Clayton in attack.
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Carlos, Sa, Fernandes, Kazu; Garcia, Gbane, Caseres; Correia, Aguirre, Mboula
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Miszta; Vrousai, Patrick, Santos, Richards; Aguilera, Tiknaz; Novais, Pohlmann; Bondoso, Clayton
We say: Gil Vicente 1-0 Rio Ave
While Rio Ave are a point above their upcoming opponent, their away record this term has been dismal, as they have lost seven of eight on the road and failed to score in six.
Gil Vicente were one of the best teams over the final four matchdays of 2024 and they have been solid on their home patch all season, conceding only a single defeat in seven games to date. We feel the hosts will edge the result in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
