Preview: Belenenses vs. Gil Vicente - prediction, team news, lineups

Belenenses and Gil Vicente square off on Monday evening with the two sides locked on the same points in the Primeira Liga standings.

While the clubs sit in 11th and 12th place respectively, they remain just four points clear of the relegation zone with six games left in the season.

Match preview

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Having scored just 19 goals from 28 fixtures this campaign, it can be argued with justification that Belenenses are fortunate to be sitting in close proximity to mid-table.

Nevertheless, Petit's side have recorded 16 points from their last 12 fixtures, potentially moving the club to within a couple of wins of securing safety.

Everyone associated with the club will still be frustrated with letting slip a 2-0 lead against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, conceding two late goals to settle for a share of the spoils.

On a positive note, it was another point on the road against a top-four outfit having recently earned a 1-1 draw with Braga.

Mateo Cassierra scored each of the three strikes in those two fixtures, taking his tally for the season to seven in 18 starts and nine substitute outings.

Gil Vicente are another team who have benefitted from a much-improved run of results with four victories coming from just six encounters.

While Ricardo Soares was naturally disappointed with losing 3-0 to Famalicao on Thursday, two of the three goals came in added-on time while they were reduced to 10 men.

Three successive victories have been recorded away from home, a remarkable improvement on previously taking just eight points from their previous 11 fixtures on the road.

The most recent of those triumphs came at Benfica, and Soares will have every confidence that his side can get back on track at Estadio Nacional.

Team News

While Petit used a 5-4-1 formation at Sporting, the Belenenses boss will consider selecting a more attack-minded starting lineup for this contest.

Defender Goncalo Silva serves a one-match suspension for five yellow cards, putting Cafu Phete in line to deputise at the back.

The remainder of the team could stay the same with Silvestre Varela and Miguel Cardoso having more freedom to support Cassierra.

Gil Vicente will be without Ygor Nogueira after the centre-back was dismissed in the last game.

Rodrigao is expected to be handed an opportunity in the team, while Kanya Fujimoto is an option on the right-hand side of midfield.

Belenenses possible starting lineup:

Kritsyuk; Silva, Henrique, Ribeiro; Esgaio, Yaya, Sousa, Lima; Varela, Cassierra, Cardoso

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Denis; Pereira, Fernandes, Rodrigao, Talocha; Carvalho, Mineiro, Pedrinho; Fujimoto, Marques, Lourency

We say: Belenenses 1-1 Gil Vicente

While both teams are aware of the potential rewards on offer with maximum points, they can also ill-afford to record a defeat. With that in mind, we feel that this contest could prove to be relatively uneventful, ending in a low-scoring draw.