Matchday 14 in the Primeira Liga will draw to a close on Monday night when Rio Ave play host to Vitoria de Guimaraes at Estadio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube.
These two are separated by six points after 13 matches, with the hosts currently on 15 points and in ninth place, while the visitors are on 21 points and sixth in the league standings.
Match preview
© Imago
Rio Ave enjoyed an impressive run of results last month, going four matches unbeaten across all competitions, including a penalty shootout victory over Alverca on the road, which booked their spot in the Taca de Portugal round of 16.
Vilacondenses also picked up seven points in three league matches during that period, but their momentum was brought to an abrupt halt last weekend when they were beaten 1-0 by high-flying Santa Clara.
Still, there has been notable improvement since the arrival of Petit on November 6, with the new boss leading his side to their first clean sheet since the start of September in his first match in charge.
Tightening up defensively is something that the French tactician will need to continue doing if his side are to maintain their top-half standings, as they have already shipped 23 goals to date, which is the second-most of any team in the division.
Rio Ave won the last match between these sides 2-1 at this venue last season, and they have been excellent on their home patch for a while now, unbeaten in their last 18 league games dating back over a year.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Vitoria Guimaraes will enter this match feeling good about themselves, after bouncing back from a 1-0 league defeat to Benfica with a commanding 4-1 victory over St. Gallen in the Conference League in midweek.
That win maintained Os Conquistadores' unbeaten record in Europe this term and took them to 13 points in the League Phase standings (W4 D1 L0), just two points behind current leaders Chelsea.
In league terms, though, Rui Borges's side have struggled for consistency this season, posting a record of six wins, three draws and four losses to date, while they have only managed two victories in their last eight top-flight games.
The major contributor to their inability to string together positive results has been their away form, as they have only managed to take eight points from a possible 21 this season, and are now hoping to avoid a third consecutive defeat on the road.
Team News
© Imago
Rio Ave will have to make do without the services of centre-back Patrick William, who crossed the yellow card threshold last week against Santa Clara and will have to serve a one-match suspension on Monday.
With Francisco Petrasso and Jonathan Panzo sidelined with injuries, and Patrick suspended, Petit will likely have to call upon Joao Tome to partner Aderllan Santos in central defence this week.
For Vitoria, Mikel Villanueva made a return to the starting lineup after an injury in midweek, and the Venezuela international delivered a solid performance, which could earn him another start this time out.
The visitors are expected to be missing just two players for this trip to Vila do Conde, with Toni Borevkovic and Jorge Fernandes ruled out until the New Year with a muscle and shoulder injury respectively.
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Miszta; Vrousai, Tome, Santos, Richards; Tiknaz, Neto, Novais; Morais, Clayton, Bondoso
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Gaspar, Rivas, Fernandes, Mendes; Silva, Handel; Cesar, Samu, Santos; Oliveira
We say: Rio Ave 1-1 Vitoria de Guimaraes
Vitoria Guimaraes have been in mixed form of late but they will be confident heading into this match off the back of another solid result in the Conference League. However, Rio Ave have gone over a year without tasting a league defeat on their home patch, and we feel they will be able to maintain that unbeaten record in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
