Seeking to snap their run of five consecutive defeats and get their Primeira Liga campaign up and running, Maritimo go head to head with Gil Vicente on Sunday.
The Gilistas, who are also winless in each of their last six games across all competitions, head to the Estadio do Maritimo looking to return to winning ways and get their season back on track.
Match preview
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Maritimo's lack of defensive sturdiness was the order of the day once again as they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Santa Clara after giving up a first-half lead last Sunday.
In an action-packed contest at the Estadio de Sao Miguel, Bruno Xadas struck in the 36th minute to set the visitors on their way to a crucial victory, but Allano and Matheus Babi scored second-half goals to turn the game on its head.
O Maior das Ilhas have now lost each of their opening five games of the 2022-23 Primeira Liga campaign, while they are winless in the league since April — a run of seven defeats and two draws in nine outings.
Maritimo's underwhelming start to the season could be pinned to struggles at the back, a key area needing tinkering sooner rather than later as they are without a clean sheet this season and have already shipped 15 goals.
While Sunday's hosts will be looking to get their season up and running, standings in their way is a Gil Vicente side who they have failed to beat in their last three encounters, losing twice and claiming one draw since a 1-0 win in January 2021.
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Ivo Vieira's men continue to struggle for form in the early stages of the campaign as they were condemned to a 2-0 defeat by league champions Porto when the sides met at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Saturday.
Mehdi Taremi, who finished second in the top scorer's chart last season, scored his third goal of the season in the 41st minute to put the Dragoes ahead, before Wenderson Galeno made sure of the result with a 44th-minute strike.
Gil Vicente head into the weekend winless in six straight games, picking up two draws and losing four — a run which saw them fail to make it to the Conference League group stages as they were beaten 6-1 on aggregate by AZ Alkmaar in the qualifying playoffs.
The Gilistas have picked up one win, two draws and lost two of their opening five games of the new Primeira Liga campaign to collect five points and sit 13th in the table, but could rise as high as eighth place with all three points this weekend.
However, they have struggled to get going away from home, where they have failed to taste victory in eight consecutive games across all competitions, stretching back to March's 1-0 victory over Braga at the Estadio Braga Municipal.
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Team News
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Portuguese midfielder Andre Vidigal received his marching orders in the defeat against Santa Clara last time out and the 24-year-old will play no part in this weekend's matchup.
In his absence, Benfica loanee Rafael Brito will push for a place in the Maritimo starting XI, teaming up with Xadas, Joel Sonora and 24-year-old Diogo Mendes at the centre of the park.
On the injury front, Seabra will be unable to call upon Mozambican forward Clesio Bauque, who is yet to feature this season as he continues his recovery from a muscle problem.
Meanwhile, Gil Vicente will have to make do without former Zenit St. Petersburg goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk, who has been sidelined since last November through a knee injury.
The Brazilian duo of Murilo de Souza and new signing Lucas Barros are currently recuperating from ACL and muscle injuries respectively and remain out of contention for the Gilistas.
Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Silva; Costa, China, Leo; Winck, Mendes, Sonora, Xadas, Brito; Moreno, Tagueu
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Veiga, Ferrugem, Fernandes, Marin; Carvalho, Boselli, Aburjania; Fujimoto, Medina, Navarro
We say: Maritimo 1-1 Gil Vicente
While Maritimo and Gil Vicente have both stumbled into the new season, the Gilistas head into the weeks as the more in-form side and slight favourites to come away with all three points. However, we predict a cagey contest with the spoils being shared between the two evenly-matched sides.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
