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

Gil Vicente will be looking to pick up consecutive wins for the first time since February when they play host to Rio Ave at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Saturday.

The newly-promoted side, on the other hand, head into the weekend without a win in their three away games this season and will be looking to end this dry spell.

Match preview

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Gil Vicente finally gave their fans something to cheer about last weekend when they came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory against Maritimo at the Estadio do Maritimo.

After trailing at the half-time interval courtesy of Leo's 27th-minute strike, Spanish forward Fran Navarro struck twice in the second half to turn the game on its head and condemn the hosts to their sixth defeat of the season.

Prior to that, Gil Vicente were on a six-game winless run across all competitions, claiming two draws and losing four games, including defeats in both legs against AZ Alkmaar in their Conference League qualifying playoff-round clash.

Ivo Vieira's men have now picked up two wins, two draws and lost two of their first six Primeira Liga games to collect eight points and sit 11th in the league standings, level on points with 10th-placed Chaves.

The Gilistas will be backing themselves to pick up successive wins for the first time since February as they take on a Rio Ave side who have lost each of the last four meetings between the sides since a 1-0 victory in 2019.

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Luis Freire's men failed to find their feet last time out as they fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat at the hands of high-flying Braga when the sides squared off at the Estadio dos Arcos.

Mutassim Al Musrati, Iuri Medeiros and Ricardo Horta scored three un-replied goals to set Os Arcebispo on their way to victory before substitute Emmanuel Boateng and Aziz scored in a six-minute spell to reduce the deficit.

Rio Ave, who secured promotion to the top flight following their first-placed finish in the Segunda Liga last term, have failed to win five of their opening six games of the season, picking up two draws and losing three.

With five points from a possible 18, the Vilacondenses are currently 14th in the Primeira Liga table, level on points with 13th-placed Vizela.

The newly-promoted side head into the weekend without a win in their three away games this season, while they have managed just one win in their last six outings, claiming three draws and losing twice since the start of April.

Team News

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Gil Vicente will be without the services of Murilo de Souza, who has been out of action since January through an ACL injury.

Summer signing Lucas Barros continues to await his debut after suffering an injury while in action for Covilha back in May.

Former Zenit St. Petersburg goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk has been out of action since November due to a leg injury, while 24-year-old forward Navarro should spearhead the attack once again.

Meanwhile, Rio Ave have to make do without Brazilian defender Junio Rocha, who continues his spell on the sidelines after suffering a severe leg injury.

Off the back of an inspiring cameo against Braga, Boateng could be rewarded with his first starting appearance of the season, teaming up with Aziz at the attacking end of the pitch.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Andrew; Veiga, Ferrugem, Fernandes, Marin; Carvalho, Boselli, Aburjania; Fujimoto, Medina, Navarro

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Jhonatan; Nobrega, Santos, Pantalon; Costinha, Guga, Gomes, Amaral, Joca; Boateng, Aziz

We say: Gil Vicente 2-1 Rio Ave

Fresh off the back of ending their winless run, Gil Vicente will head into the weekend with renewed confidence as they look to move into the top half of the table. The Gilistas have enjoyed the better of this fixture in recent years and we are backing them to come away with all three points once again.

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