Monday night's lone fixture of Primera Liga gameweek 19 will see AVS welcome Gil Vicente to Estadio do CD Aves in what will be the first-ever encounter between the sides at the ground.
Both teams have experienced contrasting fortunes in recent weeks, with the hosts enduring a torrid run of 12 games without a win across all competitions, while Bruno Pinheiro's side arrive on the back of successive victories, extending their unbeaten streak to seven.
Match preview
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AVS' last taste of victory came as far back as October 20 when they overcame Os Sandinenses 2-0 in the Taca de Portugal, their only success in 16 outings across all competitions.
The Primera Liga debutants have struggled to adapt to life in the top flight and, despite a managerial change, remain rooted in the relegation zone with just 15 points, one adrift of safety.
Daniel Ramos took over in mid-November following Vitor Campelos's dismissal, avoiding defeat in five of his eight games but still searching for a first win.
A 3-1 loss to Nacional last weekend ended a run of five consecutive draws, extending AVS' winless streak in the top flight to 13, with their last league triumph coming over four months ago, when they beat Rio Ave 1-0 at Estadio do Aves.
Despite their struggles, the Vila das Aves-based outfit can take encouragement from the fact that both of their wins in 18 outings in the competition have come on home turf, a statistic that offers hope as they prepare to host a visiting side that has lost five of their eight games on the road.
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Gil Vicente make their first-ever trip to AVS in fine form, seeking to complete a league double over the hosts after claiming a 4-2 victory in the reverse fixture.
The Galos are currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions, with six of those matches coming in the league — their most recent being an impressive 3-1 win against Porto last weekend.
That victory lifted Vicente further clear of the drop zone, leaving them ninth in the standings on 22 points, seven ahead of 16th-placed SC Farense, who occupy the relegation playoff spot.
Gilistas' turnaround has been anchored by their solidity at the back, conceding just three goals in their last five league matches, though they still hold the second-worst defensive record on the road, having shipped in 19.
Team News
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Nineteen-year-old forward Rodrigo Ribeiro is expected to lead the line for a third consecutive game after netting his first goal last time out.
Aderllan Santos and Tomas Tavares joined the squad in midweek and could make their debuts, while Lucas Moura remains sidelined with a shoulder injury that will keep him out until early February.
For the visitors, manager Pinheiro will be absent from the touchline after receiving a red card in the 44th minute of their previous match against Porto.
Pablo Felipe, who found the net last time out, is in contention to start ahead of Jorge Aguirre and Caue, while Jordi Mboula and Tidjany Toure are vying for a spot on the flanks.
On the injury front, Sphephelo Sithole is the only absentee as he continues his recovery from a ligament injury, with no clear timeline set for his return.
AVS possible starting lineup:
Ochoa; Devenish, Roux, Teixeira; Kiki, Assuncao, Grau, Fonseca; Mercado, Ribeiro, Piazon
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Kazu, Fernandes, Sa, Carlos; Fujimoto, Gbane, Caseres; Toure, Felipe, Correia
We say: AVS 1-1 Gil Vicente
Despite being on a long winless run, AVS have been tough to beat lately, recording five draws in their last six encounters, while Vicente have flourished due to their defensive solidity; hence, a cautious approach from both sides is expected, making a low-scoring stalemate the most likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
