Two sides eager to end their respective struggles for different reasons meet on Saturday as Gil Vicente host Santa Clara in Primeira Liga gameweek 26.
The Roosters are looking to halt a six-match winless run in the league as they fight to pull away from the danger zone, while the visitors seek to revive their European ambitions by securing their first victory in five matches.
Match preview
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Not the most obvious shift in fortune nor a major new-manager effect, but Gil can look to build momentum after ending a five-match losing run in the Primeira Liga with a 1-1 draw at Estoril Praia last Friday.
It seemed like another defeat was on the cards when Jovane Cabral's deflected free-kick put the hosts ahead in the 69th minute, but a determined fightback saw Santi Garcia rescue a point seven minutes from time, handing Cesar Peixoto a hard-fought result in his first game in charge.
The outcome leaves Gil 14th in the standings with 23 points, only ahead of the relegation playoff spot on goal difference, though they have one game in hand.
Looking to climb away from danger, Peixoto's men can take confidence from their recent record against Santa at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, having won two of the last three top-flight meetings at the ground.
Their home form in the league this season stands at four wins, four draws and three defeats, and while the last two ended in losses, Gil have not gone three matches without victory in this campaign.
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Meanwhile, Santa's European push is losing steam due to inconsistency, having alternated between losses and draws in their last four outings.
In their most recent match, the Azoreans failed to hold onto a 68th-minute lead from Vinicius Lopes, conceding four minutes from time to settle for a 1-1 draw against Moreirense on home soil last weekend.
That result leaves Vasco Matos's side fifth with 40 points, 10 adrift of the Conference League spot, making victory this weekend crucial as they look to revive their push for a top-four finish.
Os Acorianos's struggles stem from a lack of cutting edge in the final third, having drawn blanks in three of their last four matches, with just one goal to show for it in that span.
Their struggles in front of goal against relegation-threatened sides have also been evident, with two of those scoreless outings coming on their travels to such opponents: a goalless draw at Estrela and a 1-0 defeat to Boavista – a record the visitors will be desperate to improve this weekend.
Having claimed a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture last October, Santa now have the chance to complete their first top-flight double over Gil since doing so in the 2002-03 season.
Team News
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Peixoto opted for a 4-3-3 setup in his first match in charge, so a similar approach is expected here, albeit with possible changes at the back.
Ze Carlos returns from suspension and is likely to reclaim his spot at right-back, which could see Jonathan Mutombo drop to the bench.
Further forward, Garcia should retain his place on the wing after an impressive outing last Friday, with Felix Correia operating on the opposite flank and Jorge Aguirre leading the attack.
Meanwhile, Sphephelo Sithole remains sidelined with a ligament injury, but Pablo made his return from a layoff that kept him out since early last month with a 16-minute cameo against Estrela.
As for Santa, Pedro Pacheco remains unavailable due to a knee problem, while Wendel Silva has yet to feature since arriving from Santos in the winter transfer window.
Lopes is set to lead the line once again after netting last time out, while Sidney Lima is expected to return to the starting XI after coming off the bench last Saturday.
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Cruz, Fernandes, Josue Sa, Ze Carlos; Fujimoto, Bamba, Marques; Garcia, Aguirre, Correia
Santa Clara possible starting lineup:
Batista; Venancio, Lima, MT; Calila, Firmino, Serginho, Soares; Ricardinho, Silva, Lopes
We say: Gil Vicente 1-1 Santa Clara
Santa's recent woes, particularly against relegation-threatened sides, offer little reason for optimism, and with both sides struggling for goals – Gil failing to score in five of their last seven matches – a low-scoring stalemate appears the most probable outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
