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

Vitoria de Guimaraes square off against Boavista on Friday evening knowing that they must end a five-match winless streak if they want to challenge for a top-five spot in the Primeira Liga.

Meanwhile the visitors remain in the bottom three of the standings, despite collecting seven points from their most recent five matches.

Match preview

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After winning nine of their first 15 league matches this season, Guimaraes appeared in line to challenge for the top three in the table.

However, collecting just three points from five games has left the club six points adrift of the Europa League places, putting pressure on Joao Henriques to get his team back on track as soon as possible.

One of their three draws came at a faltering Benfica outfit, but the 2-1 defeat at Pacos de Ferreira could prove decisive come the end of the campaign.

Guimaraes have failed to take advantage of establishing early leads in their last two fixtures, a worrying trait now that they face the task of playing catch-up to those two teams.

While the goals have been shared around of late, Oscar Estupinan has still contributed three strikes from his most recent six appearances.

Boavista have struggled to keep themselves out of trouble this season, but Jesualdo Ferreira is starting to get the best out of his squad.

On the back of a 2-2 draw at Porto, Ferreira watched his side claim a 1-0 win over Moreirense on February 19, the decisive goal coming from Lille loanee Angel Gomes.

The former Manchester United youngster ended an 11-match drought in the process, adding more substance to his eye-catching performances this season.

With trips to four of the top six still to come this season, many will feel that Boavista are up against it to avoid relegation this season.

Nevertheless, avoiding defeat on Friday would keep things ticking in the right direction at a time when they are still just four points adrift of ninth place.

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

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Boavista Primeira Liga form:

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Team News

Henriques is expected to freshen up his Guimaraes side, which could see Andre Almeida come back into midfield.

Ricardo Quaresma was an unused substitute against Pacos, putting the veteran in line for a recall in place of Rochinha.

Having had a week to prepare for this contest, Boavista boss Ferreira may stick with the side which started against Moreirense.

Despite his withdrawal just after the hour mark in that game, American defender Reggie Cannon is expected to line up at right-back.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Sacko, Fernandes, Mumin, Mensah; Pepelu, Almeida, Andre; Edwards, Estupinan, Quaresma

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Jardim; Cannon, Devenish, Awaziem, Mangas; Paulinho, Garcia, Santos; Sauer, Elis, Gomes

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-1 Boavista

Despite their contrasting positions in the standings, it is difficult not to view this as a game between two evenly-matched sides. With that in mind, we are backing Boavista to claim a share of the spoils, a result which would keep them in close proximity to the teams above them.