Bottom-placed Boavista will aim to build on their recent success when they welcome Vitoria de Guimaraes for round 25 of the Primeira Liga, seeking to boost their survival hopes.
The Chequered Ones claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over Santa Clara last weekend, moving their tally to 15 points and closing the gap on safety to seven.
Match preview
© Imago
Boavista delivered a commanding performance against Santa, showcasing attacking intent despite having just 31% possession, as Lito Vidigal's side registered five shots on target — four more than their opponents — before Vitali Lystsov's 81st-minute strike sealed the win.
The win was a long-awaited breakthrough, as Os Axadrezados had endured a 13-match winless run, drawing three and losing ten, including eight consecutive defeats to close out that spell.
Their struggles in front of goal were glaring, failing to find the back of the net in eight of those matches, while Boavista's tally of 15 goals this season makes them the joint-worst attacking side in the division.
Defensive frailties have also plagued the Panthers, with 40 goals conceded — the most of any side in the top flight.
Last weekend's triumph marked their first home success after picking up just three points from the previous 11 matches, though they still prop up the home league table with six points.
Knowing another victory is crucial to their survival push, Boavista face a stern challenge against a side they have beaten just once in their last four home encounters, drawing two and losing the other.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Vitoria secured a 1-0 home win over Casa Pia in their most recent league outing, with Umaro Embalo's 79th-minute strike proving decisive and handing Luis Freire his first victory in charge.
Freire, appointed on January 15, oversaw back-to-back stalemates in his first two games, with Os Conquistadores having also played out a goalless draw against Famalicao before his arrival, and have now stretched their unbeaten run to five matches with their latest triumph – a second in this spell.
Vitoria have now amassed 35 points from eight wins, 11 draws and five losses, sitting seventh in the standings, though they remain 12 points adrift of fourth-placed Braga.
Six of their league stalemates have come on the road, contributing to a nine-game winless away streak in the top flight — a run they will be determined to snap this weekend.
Vitoria's tendency to draw matches was evident again in midweek, as they travelled to Real Betis and played out a 2-2 result in their Europa Conference League round of 16 first leg, setting up an intriguing return fixture next week.
Team News
© Imago
Boavista will be without Luis Pires, Joao Goncalves, Augusto Dabo, Marco Ribeiro and Layvin Kurzawa, all sidelined through injury.
On a positive note, Miguel Reisinho is set to return to the starting XI after serving a suspension, while Ibrahima Camara and Seba Perez will compete for a spot in midfield.
Vitoria will take to the field without defender Bruno Gaspar and winger Gustavo Silva, who remain unavailable due to injury.
Meanwhile, Freire could rotate his squad with the return leg against Betis in mind, potentially handing starts to Miguel Maga, Filipe Relvas, Vando Felix, Juninho Arcanjo and Dieu Michel.
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Cesar; Silva, Lystsov, Abascal, Fogning, Agra; Kone, Vukotic, Camara, Van Ginkel; Bozenik
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Maga, Borevkovic, Villanueva, J. Mendes; Handel, J.S. Mendes, Silva; Arcanjo, Michel, Felix
We say: Boavista 0-0 Vitoria de Guimaraes
With Freire expected to rotate his squad ahead of next week's European clash, Vitoria may not be at full strength, though their knack for salvaging results in recent encounters suggests a tight contest, probably ending goalless, especially with Boavista also struggling for cutting edge.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
