Famalicao will be looking to pick up their fourth win in five games when they go head to head with Vitoria de Guimaraes as round 28 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga gets underway on Friday.
Os Vimaranenses make their way to the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao aiming to complete a second consecutive league double over the hosts, having won each of their previous three meetings since May 2021.
Match preview
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Famalicao put on a show at the Estadio Capital do Movel as they came back from behind to claim a comprehensive 3-1 victory over relegation-threatened Pacos de Ferreira last Saturday.
After Hernani Ifande and Jhonder Cadiz scored for either side to force a first-half draw, Spanish forward Ivan Jaime took matters into his hands as he grabbed a second-half brace to turn the game on its head and leave the Pacenses languishing in the automatic relegation places.
Famalicao have now picked up three wins in their last four outings, edging out Casa Pia, Boavista and Pacos de Ferreira, with a 1-0 home loss at the hands of Arouca a fortnight ago being the exception.
Joao Pedro Sousa's side now return to the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao, where they are unbeaten in five of their seven games since the turn of the year, while scoring five goals and keeping four clean sheets.
Famalicao's recent upturn in form has seen them rise to ninth place in the Primeira Liga table, having picked up 36 points from 27 matches so far, and victory on Friday could see them leapfrog Vizela and Casa Pia, who are both tied on 38 points.
However, Friday's game pits the Vila Nova against an opposing side who are on a three-game winning streak in this fixture and unbeaten in eight of their last nine meetings, claiming six wins and two draws since September 2018.
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On the other hand, Vitoria de Guimaraes' quest for consecutive European appearances was dealt a fresh blow on Friday when they were beaten 2-1 by Boavista at the Estadio do Bessa.
In a heated contest that saw three players pick up red cards, Salvador Agra and midfielder Gaius Makouta scored on either side of Andre Andre's 60th-minute equaliser to end the hosts' three-game losing streak.
This was a second consecutive away defeat for Joao Aroso's men, who were thrashed 5-1 by league leaders Benfica when the sides met at the Estadio da Luz on March 18.
Vitoria de Guimaraes have now gone four straight games without a win, losing three and picking up one point from a possible 12 since their 3-1 victory over rock-bottom Santa Clara on March 5.
With 41 points from 27 games, Os Vimaranenses are currently sixth in the league standings, three points behind fifth-placed Arouca in the final Europa Conference League qualification spot.
Team News
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Portuguese forward Theo Fonseca remains out of contention for Famalicao after suffering a season-ending ACL injury against Boavista back in October.
The Vila Nova will also take to the pitch without Jose Luis Rodriguez, who has been sidelined since November through a hamstring injury.
Enea Mihaj missed the trip to Pacos de Ferreira after coming off injured against Arouca on April 3 and the Albanian defender is a major doubt for Friday's match.
With his brace in the aforementioned game, Jaime has seven goal involvements in his last nine outings and we expect the 22-year-old forward to lead the hosts' attack alongside Cadiz once again.
Vitoria de Guimaraes will have to cope without Ibrahima Bamba and Bruno Gaspar, who are currently suspended after picking up red cards in last week's game against Boavista.
On the injury front, Os Vimaranenses remain without Portuguese goalkeeper Bruno Varela, who has been sidelined since February through a muscle injury.
Aroso will also be unable to call upon 21-year-old midfielder Ze Carlos, who is yet to feature this year after picking up a knee injury in December.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Otavio, Moura; Youssouf, Colombatto, Sa, Rodrigues; Jaime, Cadiz
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Biai; Tounkara, Ogawa, Villanueva; Maga, Andre, D Silva, Freitas; Andre Silva, Anderson Silva, Johnston
We say: Famalicao 2-1 Vitoria de Guimaraes
While Famalicao have hit their stride at the business end of the season, Guimaraes have suffered a drop-off in form, with their European quest now hanging in the balance. Given their contrasting form, we are backing the Vila Nova to pick up where they dropped off on Friday and come away with all three points once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
