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

Famalicao host Vitoria de Guimaraes in the Portuguese top flight on Sunday evening as both teams look to put back-to-back wins together.

Joao Pedro Sousa's men saw off Santa Clara 2-1 last time out, while Os Vimaranenses defeated Nacional 3-1 to maintain their strong start to the season.

Match preview

Famalicao have struggled so far in 2020-21, with their victory last time out just their third of the league campaign to date.

Their 14-point haul from their opening 14 games has left them lying 14th position, just two points above the relegation playoff place.

Sousa's side's troubles have been at the back this season; no side in the Primeira Liga has conceded more than them, and their defensive woes heavily contributed to a seven-game winless run before Sunday's victory.

Famalicenses will be hoping that their recent good result can kickstart their stuttering campaign, beginning with another three points over the weekend.

Vitoria are enjoying a solid season to date having picked up 23 points, leaving them in sixth position and just two points behind fifth-placed Pacos de Ferreira with a game in hand.

Portuguese midfielder Andre Andre has been the star man for the Estadio D Afonso Henriques outfit in 2020-21.

The 31-year-old has bagged five goals and two assists in 13 Primeira Liga matches and will be crucial to his side's chances on Sunday.

Vitoria are a tough team to beat and have lost just once in their last six league games, keeping a clean sheet in half of those encounters.

If Famalicao's upturn in fortunes is to continue, then they will have to do it the hard way as their upcoming opponents will be confident of maintaining their recent form and picking up a positive result.

Famalicao Primeira Liga form: DDLLLW Famalicao form (all competitions): LDLLLW

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form: WWWLDW Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions): LDWLDW

Team News

Famalicao will be unable to call upon the services of centre-forward Marcello Trotta, who is suffering from an injury.

The 28-year-old will be joined by winger Heriberto Tavares, who is one of many players in Portugal to be struck down by coronavirus at this moment in time.

After a convincing win last time out, Joao Henriques is unlikely to make many changes to his starting lineup.

Lyle Foster and Jonas Carls are unavailable after testing positive for COVID-19 and are having to self-isolate away from the first-team squad.

They join a lengthy list including Silvio, Jacob Maddox, Mikel Agu, Yann Aurel Bisseck, Joseph Amoah and Matheus Mascarenhas on the sidelines.

Famalicao possible starting lineup: Junior; Morer, Babic, Queiros, Vinagre; Pereyra, Assuncao, Jordao; Robert, Guedes, Dias

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup: Varela; Sacko, Fernandes, Mumin, Mensah; Andre, Pepelu, Almeida; Quaresma, Holm, Edwards

We say: Famalicao 0-2 Vitoria de Guimaraes

Despite Famalicao picking up a pivotal win in their previous fixture, Vitoria should have too much quality for them on the day. The visitors have players such as Ricardo Quaresma within their ranks and they should see them take home all three points.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.