Preview: Gil Vicente vs. Maritimo - prediction, team news, lineups

Gil Vicente host Maritimo in the Primeira Liga on Sunday, with both sides hoping to build on victories in the Taca de Portugal.

The Gilistas have accumulated eight of their 13 points in the top flight from home matches this campaign, while Maritimo have lost five of their seven league games on the road this season.

Match preview

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Gil Vicente were taken to extra time in their Taca de Portugal tie against second-division side Academico de Viseu on Thursday but managed to secure a 3-2 victory and claim their place in the quarter-finals.

Head coach Ricardo Soares had to bring on top goalscorer Samuel Lino, who netted his fourth goal of the campaign to seal the win in what proved to be a tricky contest.

The Gilistas have struggled to register a good run of form this campaign, which has seen them constantly linger in and around the relegation zone.

Gil Vicente currently sit 12th in the table, just two points above the drop zone and have won only one of their last five league matches.

Two of their three Primeira Liga victories have been at home and another three points at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos this weekend could see them climb five places up to seventh.

One of the main surprises last weekend saw Maritimo become the first Portuguese team to defeat Sporting Lisbon this season, as they ran out 2-0 victors in the Taca de Portugal on Monday night.

Brazilian forward Rodrigo Pinho opened the scoring in the 68th minute before providing the assist for Leo Andrade, who doubled the home side's lead and booked their place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2014-15.

Maritimo now return to Primeira Liga action this weekend, with Milton Mendes's side currently sitting in a respectable eighth place, but they are only three points above the relegation zone.

Os Verde-Rubros, who have won four of their last six matches in all competitions, could move up one place to seventh in the table with a victory, three points behind Vitoria Guimaraes in sixth.

Gil Vicente Primeira Liga form: WDLWDL Gil Vicente form (all competitions): LWWDLW

Maritimo Primeira Liga form: LLWWDL Maritimo form (all competitions): WWWDLW

Team News

Gil Vicente forward Miullen is the only injury concern for Soares, as the Brazilian is ruled out with a knee injury.

Striker Lino is expected to return to the starting lineup and play alongside Lourency and Antoine Leautey in attack.

Maritimo boss Mendes has no injury or suspension concerns heading into Sunday's match.

Centre-back Rene, who did not feature in the win against Sporting, is expected to return to the starting XI and play alongside Andrade and Zainadine Junior in the back three.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup: Denis; Nogueira, Rodrigao, Fernandes; Pereira, Mineiro, Goncalves, Talocha; Lourency, Lino, Leautey

Maritimo possible starting lineup: Abedzadeh; Rene, Andrade, Junior; Winck, Bambock, Jean, Hermes; Guitane; Pinho, Joel

We say: Gil Vicente 1-1 Maritimo

Both sides have struggled for consistency this campaign but are aware that a few league victories can propel them up the table and away from danger.; there is not much to separate the two teams, and we could see a score draw played out this weekend.

Top betting tip