Preview: Gil Vicente vs Casa Pia - prediction, team news, lineups

Still licking their wounds from a 7-0 hammering at the hands of Benfica, Casa Pia return to action in the Portuguese Primeira Liga when they visit the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos to face Gil Vicente on Monday evening.

While Os Gansos have stumbled into the new campaign, the home side will be aiming to make it two wins from two, having snatched a narrow opening-day victory over Rio Ave on August 9.

Match preview

Experienced forward Hector Hernandez kept his cool under pressure in the Primeira Liga curtain-raiser against Rio Ave a fortnight ago when he converted his 87th-minute penalty to fire the Gilistas to a 1-0 victory at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.

With both sides failing to gain the upper hand in a closely contested first half, Andreas Ndoj’s 47th-minute red card proved decisive, as the hosts made the most of their numerical advantage to secure an opening-day win for the second season running.

Off the back of a solid pre-season campaign, where they defied a 1-0 victory over league champions Porto and played out stalemates with Felgueiras and Moreirense, newly-appointed head coach Luis Pinto will hope their opening-day victory can inspire a strong early-season form, having replaced Cesar Peixoto at the helm of affairs four months after exiting his role in charge of Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Pinto knows he has big shoes to fill in the dugout after Peixoto guided Gil Vicente to sixth place in the Primeira Liga standings last season, finishing nine points off the European qualifying places before taking up the Wolverhampton Wanderers hot seat.

Just two games into the season, Casa Pia were on the wrong end of the heaviest defeat recorded last Monday when they were hammered 7-0 by Benfica at the Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior.

Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis continued his red-hot form in front of goal this season, netting a hat-trick and providing an assist to take his goal involvements tally to 11 across all competitions and fire Benfica to their first win of the campaign.

This came just one week after Casa Pia kicked off the new campaign on a sour note, falling to a 1-0 defeat against newly-promoted Maritimo at the Estadio do Maritimo courtesy of a second-half strike from Raphael Guzzo.

Having confirmed their top-flight status through the playoffs last season, where they secured a 2-0 aggregate victory over Torreense in the playoff final, Casa Pia have opened for a change of ideas at the managerial level, with Filipe Coelho replacing Alvaro Pacheco at the helm.

Life with the Lisbon outfit has proved difficult for the 41-year-old head coach, with the next test coming against an opposing side who are unbeaten in eight of the previous nine meetings between the two teams, claiming five wins and three draws since October 2016.

Gil Vicente Primeira Liga form:

Gil Vicente form (all competitions):

Casa Pia Primeira Liga form:

Casa Pia form (all competitions):

Team News

Hernandez came off the bench to make his mark in the league curtain-raiser against Rio Ave and the Spanish forward could be rewarded with a starting role on Monday, which could see Brazilian striker Carlos Eduardo sweat over his role in the XI.

Having signed from Danish outfit Esbjerg, Andreas Lausen was handed his debut against Rio Ave, and the 23-year-old should retain his role at the centre of the park, teaming up with Facundo Cesares and Spanish midfielder Santi Garcia.

On the injury front, Weverson was forced off injured just 17 minutes into the opening game of the season, and the Brazilian full-back is out of contention for the Gilistas, with David Moreira in line to get the nod.

As for Casa Pia, Angolan defender Khaly is ruled out of the trip to the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos due to suspension after picking up a late red card against Benfica last time out.

Having failed to find the back of the net in the opening two games, Coelho could ring the changes at the attacking end of the pitch, with trusted veteran Cassiano pushing for his first appearance of the season, while Oluwakorede Osundina should return to the XI, having come off the bench against Benfica.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Lucao; Esgaio, Elimbi, Buatu, Moreira; Caseres, Lausen, Garcia; Murilo, Fernandes; Hernandez

Casa Pia possible starting lineup:

Gomes; Sousa, Geraldes, Silva; Gabi, Ofori, Perez, Conte; Rochinha, Araujo, Osundina

We say: Gil Vicente 2-0 Casa Pia

Having kicked off the season on a positive note, Gil Vicente will be backing themselves to keep the ball rolling against a deflated Casa Pia side, who shipped seven against Benfica last weekend.

The Gilistas have picked up four wins and one draw from their five home games against Rio Ave, and with the unsettled visitors yet to find their feet this season, we are backing them to make the most of their home advantage once again.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.