Preview: Belenenses vs. Vitoria de Guimaraes - prediction, team news, lineups

Fresh off the back of an impressive victory over fourth-placed Braga, Vitoria de Guimaraes take a trip to the Estadio Nacional do Jamor to face Belenenses on Sunday.

O Belem, on the other hand, head into the game without a win in any of their last five Primeira Liga outings and will head into the weekend desperate to end this dry spell.

Match preview

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Belenenses were left empty-handed in the Primeira Liga once again as they suffered a humbling 4-1 loss at the hands of Moreirense at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas.

In a game where Alioune Ndour received his marching orders, Yan Santos and Abel Camara scored for either side in the opening 25 minutes, but the hosts upped the ante as Pablo Santos, Andre Luis and Derik Lacerda scored to cap off a superb team performance.

Franclim Carvalho's side have now failed to taste victory in each of their last four games, losing four and picking up one draw since a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Arouca on January 9.

With 12 points from 21 games, Belenenses are currently rooted to the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings, seven points adrift of Moreirense just outside the relegation places.

Their struggles this season has been in no small part owing to their lack of sting in attack, where they boast the division's poorest record with just 13 goals scored, with their luck at the opposite end of the pitch not any better as they have shipped 41 so far.

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Vitoria de Guimaraes, meanwhile, turned in a performance of the highest quality as they claimed a hard-earned 2-1 victory when the sides met at the Dom Afonso Henriques last time out.

Despite playing with one man down for most of the second half after Alfa Semedo received his marching orders in the 54th minute, Oscar Estupinan and Nelson Luz scored either side of Vitor Oliveira to hand the hosts all three points.

Pedro Gandaio's side are now unbeaten in each of their last six games on home turf, claiming five wins and one draw, while scoring 15 goals and conceding seven since a 3-1 loss against Benfica back in October.

While they have struggled to match this form on the road, where they have failed to win any of their last four games, this fine home run has seen them rise to sixth place on the log after picking up 30 points from 21 games.

While Vitoria de Guimaraes will look to end this poor away form, next up is an opposing side who they have failed to defeat at the Estadio Nacional do Jamor in each of their last six visits since a 3-0 win back in 2014.

Team News

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While Jordan van der Gaag returned from his injury lay-off against Moreirense last time out, Chico Teixeira remains out of contention for Belenenses as he continues his journey to full fitness after picking up an injury back in September.

He is joined on the club's injury table by fellow countryman Rafael Camacho, who has been out of action since sustaining a muscle injury against Estoril Praia on December 12.

Twenty-year-old forward Ndour will also sit out Sunday's game as he serves his suspension after picking up a straight red in the game against Os verdes e branco, meaning Safira could take his place in the XI.

Vitoria de Guimaraes, on the other hand, head into the weekend with a clean bill of health, giving Petit the luxury of a full strength squad at his disposal once again.

With his strike against Braga last time out, Estupinan is now one goal away from hitting double digits in the league this season and we expect the 25-year-old to spearhead the attack alongside Rochinha and Tiago Silva.

However, midfielder Semedo received his marching orders in the aforementioned game and Andre Almeida could come into the fold for his 11th start of the season.

Belenenses possible starting lineup:

Felipe; Akas, Danny, Carraca, Tavares; Calila, Phete, Camara; Safira, Lukovic, Sousa

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Soares, Fernandes, Borevkovic, Maga; Lameiras, Handel, Almeida; Rochinha, Silva, Estupinan

We say: Belenenses 0-2 Vitoria de Guimaraes

Vitoria de Guimaraes will head into the weekend with renewed confidence following their impressive win over Braga and will fancy their chances against a floundering Belenenses side. Belenenses have struggled to get going at the back and we predict the visitors will take advantage of their defensive frailties and come away with all three points.