Two mid-table teams, separated by two points, will clash in gameweek 20 of the Primeira Liga at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Saturday.
The 11th-placed Gil Vicente enter this fixture on the back of a 1-0 loss to AVS, while Estoril Praia are looking to record their fourth consecutive win in the league.
Match preview
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Gil Vicente were unbeaten in the league since the start of December, claiming three wins and four draws, in a run that saw them take points off runaway league leaders Sporting Lisbon and a famous win over Porto in gameweek 19.
However, the Roosters could not build on that result, falling to a 1-0 defeat against AVS in their last league outing at the Estadio Clube Desportivo das Aves.
That defeat marked their sixth loss in 10 fixtures on the road, with the others being a win and three draws,
nevertheless, the hosts have been unbeaten at home since December, claiming two wins and a couple of draws, with six goals scored in that period.
Having finished in the bottom half of the league in five of the last six seasons, one loss at home all season is impressive – a record only bettered by Porto, who are yet to lose at home this season, with only four teams claiming more points than the Gilistas in front of their fans this term.
Undefeated in this fixture since September 2023, claiming two wins in the previous three, including a goalless draw in the last meeting, the 11th-placed hosts will fancy their chances against Saturday's opponents.
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It remains to be seen if Estoril will make it four wins on the bounce in the elite division, following their third consecutive victory last weekend.
The visitors managed a win at the start of December, but a four-game winless run soon followed, before their resurgence with three straight wins, scoring eight goals in that time.
Two of those wins were recorded in consecutive fixtures away from home, and Ian Cathro's team have the chance to claim three straight wins on the road for the first time since September 2021.
Having recorded only two wins away from home this term, the Canaries have earned more wins this year than in 2023 and 2024 combined.
In addition to their new-found form on the road, the Lisbon-based side have seen an upsurge in goals on their travels, having scored seven in the last two matches away from home – three more than the total tally in their previous seven matches outside the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota.
Team News
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Gil Vicente did not record any injury in their loss against AVS, leaving Yaya Sithole, who is sidelined with a Tibia and fibula fracture, as the only absentee.
New signings, Sergio Bermejo and Carlos Eduardo are available for selection and they could be part of the starting XI if Bruno Pinheiro decides to tinker with his team.
Up front, Tidjany Toure, Pablo and Felix Correia, the latter of whom has scored five goals this term should form the front three.
For the visitors, Ian Cathro has almost a fully fit squad to choose from, but Kevin Boma, who is suffering from a sprained ankle will not be in Cathro's consideration - in his absence, Eliaquim Mangala is expected to start in defence.
Having missed their last league outing, Alejandro Marques could return to the starting XI as part of the attacking trio.
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Cruz, Fernandes, Sa, Carlos; Fujimoto, Gbane, Caseres; Toure, Pablo, Correia
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Robles; Alvaro, Mangala, Bacher; Pina, Xeka, Holsgrove; Lacximicant, Marques, Carvalho
We say: Gil Vicente 1-2 Estoril Praia
Both teams are separated by two points in the standings, but given Estoril's recent prowess in front of goal, we are backing them to edge the home team 2-1.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
