Gil Vicente and Moreirense bring round 13 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga to an end when they go head to head at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Monday.
Having failed to win any of the last 10 meetings between the sides, the Gilistas will head into the weekend looking to get one over the visitors and end their run of five league matches without a win.
Match preview
© Reuters
Gil Vicente added another to their list of woeful results away from home as they suffered a 3-1 defeat against Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade last Monday.
Ruben Fernandes struck against the run of play to hand the visitors a 34th-minute lead but an own goal from Pedro Tiba and Viktor Gyokeres' second-half brace helped the Leoes turn the game on its head.
Gil Vicente have now suffered 12 back-to-back away defeats in the Primeira Liga, conceding 24 goals and scoring nine since their 2-1 victory over Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on February 26.
However, the Gilistas now return home, where they are currently on a four-game unbeaten run and have gone unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches, claiming five wins and two draws since the start of May.
Vitor Campelos's men have now lost seven of their 12 Primeira Liga matches this season while claiming three wins and two draws to collect 11 points and sit 13th in the league table, just two points above rock-bottom Arouca.
While Gil Vicente will be looking to return to winning ways and extend their fine home form on Monday, they will have to show their mettle against a Moreirense side who are unbeaten in each of their last 10 meetings, claiming six wins and two draws since a 4-3 loss in October 2013.
© Reuters
Moreirense, on the other hand, maintained their fine run of results last time out when they held their own to see out a goalless draw against reigning champions Benfica on home turf.
In truth, Roger Schmidt's side were guilty of a lack of sting in attack as they failed to convert multiple clear-cut chances before settling for a share of the spoils at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas.
Rui Borges's men have now gone seven consecutive league games without defeat, picking up two draws and five wins, including successive victories over Arouca, Vitoria de Guimaraes and Estrela Amadora respectively.
Os verdes e brancos' most recent loss in the league came on September 17, when they were beaten 3-0 by Sporting Lisbon courtesy of goals from Gyokeres, Morten Hjulmand and Ousmane Diomande.
With 21 points in 12 matches, Moreirense have enjoyed an impressive return to the top flight and currently sit sixth in the table, eight points behind the Europa Conference League qualifying spot.
Team News
© Reuters
Gil Vicente remain without the services of veteran goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk, who has been sidelined since coming off injured against Famalicao back in February.
Angolan forward Depu has missed each of the hosts' last six matches through a muscle injury and the 23-year-old is also out of contention for Monday's clash.
As for Moreirense, Borges will be unable to call upon the injured defensive duo of Dinis Pinto and Alhassane Sylla, who continue their spells on the sidelines.
Hernani Ifande is yet to feature for Os verdes e brancos this season after coming off injured in May and the Portuguese forward will also sit out Monday's game.
Maracas is also suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Benfica, meaning that teenage defender Gilberto Batista could form the centre-back pairing with 34-year-old Marcelo.
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Ze Carlos, Lopes, Fernandes, Boas; Tiba, Dominguez; Fujimoto, Souza, Correia; Monteiro
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Fabiano, Batista, Marcelo, Amador; Ismael, Franco; Madson, Alanzinho, Kodisang; Luis
We say: Gil Vicente 1-2 Moreirense
While Gil Vicente have been solid at home, it is hard to not see them struggling against an in-form Moreirense side. Borges's men boast the division's fourth-best point tally on the road and we fancy them extending their dominance against the hosts on Monday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
