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

Fresh off the back of ending their eight-game winless run, Vitoria de Guimaraes journey to the Canarinhos to square off against Estoril Praia on Saturday.

The Canarinhos will head into the weekend looking to get one over the visitors, having failed to win any of the last four meetings between the sides since August 2017.

Match preview

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Estoril Praia continue to struggle for results on the road as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Famalicao when the sides squared off last Sunday.

Following a drab first half at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao, Club Leon loanee Santiago Colombatto struck nine minutes into the second period to hand the Vila Nova their sixth league win of the season.

The Canarinhos have now lost each of their last four away games across all competitions while they are winless in seven consecutive outings since October's 3-2 victory at Amora FC on October 14.

Estoril Praia now return to home soil where they picked up their first win in nine matches in their most recent outing as they edged out 10-man Casa Pia 2-0 courtesy of goals from Francisco Geraldes and Tiago Gouveia on January 16.

Nelson Verissimo's side, who are on a run of one win from their last 13 matches across all competitions, currently sit 14th in the Primeira Liga table, four points above the relegation playoff spot.

While Estoril Praia will be looking to pick up successive home wins for the first time since March 2021, standing in their way is a Vitoria de Guimaraes side who they have failed to defeat in their last four attempts, losing three and claiming one draw since a 3-0 victory in August 2017.

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Joao Teixeira's men, on the other hand, returned to winning ways in dramatic fashion as they secured a late 2-1 victory over Chaves at the Dom Afonso Henriques last Monday.

After holding a one-goal lead for most of the game courtesy of Tiago Silva, substitute Issah Abass netted a 95th-minute equaliser, but 27-year-old forward Allison Safira struck two minutes later to bring the game to a frenetic finish.

Prior to that, Vitoria de Guimaraes were on an eight-game winless run across all competitions, claiming four draws and losing four, including a 3-2 defeat against Braga in the round of 16 of the Taca de Portugal on January 11.

For all their recent struggles, Os Vimaranenses have picked up 27 points from 18 matches to sit sixth in the Primeira Liga table, three points off fifth-placed Casa Pia in the final Europa Conference League qualification place.

Team News

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Estoril Praia will have to make do without the services of 26-year-old midfielder Joao Gamboa for the third straight game after he suffered a muscle problem against Casa Pia on January 16.

Having watched his side fail to find the back of the net in two consecutive matches, Verissimo could shuffle his attack on Saturday, with 27-year-old Joao Carlos pushing for a starting role.

Vitoria de Guimaraes will take to the pitch without 22-year-old midfielder Tomas Handel, who continues his long journey to full fitness after suffering a hamstring injury last February.

Fellow midfielder Jose Carlos has missed each of the last six matches after coming off with a foot injury against Boavista in December and is out of contention for the visitors.

Veteran midfielder Andre has missed four consecutive matches through a sprained knee, while Jorge Fernandes is a major doubt after missing last week's game against Chaves through injury.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Figueira; Vital, Mexer, Alvaro; Santos, Carvalho, Geraldes; Joaozinho, Carlos, Eduardo

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Villanueva, Amaro, Bamba; Maga, D Silva, T Silva, Freitas; J Silva, Andre Silva, Anderson Silva

We say: Estoril Praia 1-2 Vitoria de Guimaraes

Buoyed by Monday's victory over Chaves, Vitoria de Guimaraes will head into the weekend with renewed confidence as they resume their push for a place in Europe. Estoril Praia have lost four of their last five matches and we predict that Os Vimaranenses will leave with a slender victory against the floundering hosts.

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