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

SC Farense will attempt to claim a third consecutive victory when they travel to Estadio Cidade de Barcelos for Sunday's Primeira Liga clash with Gil Vicente.

The visitors begin the weekend in ninth position and four points better off than their 12th-placed hosts, who are on the brink of securing mathematical safety.

Match preview

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Since being appointed Gil Vicente boss last month, Toze Marreco has sparked an upturn in fortunes to lead his side five points clear of danger with just two games left to play.

The 36-year-old kicked off his tenure with a narrow 1-0 win over Moreirense, bringing an end to Gil Vicente's seven-game winless run.

Marreco then saw his side score two stoppage-time goals to salvage a point against Arouca, before his troops played out a 1-1 draw in the recent away meeting with Boavista.

Gil Vicente's safety could be assured before Sunday's fixture if 16th-placed Portimonense fail to beat Rio Ave on Saturday.

Even if Portimonense fails to secure all three points, Gil Vicente will still be determined to beat Farense after failing to win any of their last six home matches since recording a 1-0 win over Vizela in January.

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Farense can already look forward to a second consecutive top-flight campaign after alleviating any lingering relegation fears with back-to-back victories.

Jose Mota's side eased to a commanding 3-0 away win over Estrela, before they recorded a narrow 3-2 victory against Estoril despite giving up a two-goal cushion.

After Goncalo Silva and Mattheus Oliveira saw their efforts cancelled out by two Estoril goals, Bruno Duarte found the net in the 65th minute, scoring what proved to be the decisive goal.

Having collected 37 points from 32 matches, Farense are sitting in ninth place and on the verge of finishing in the top half of the Primeira Liga table for the first time since they ended the 1994-95 season in fifth.

With just two points separating them from the bottom half, the Leoes de Faro still have work to do if they are to maintain their current position, beginning with Sunday's away clash at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, where they will attempt to complete a league double after winning 1-0 in January's reverse fixture.

Team News

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Gil Vicente are unable to call upon Sporting Lisbon loanee Afonso Moreira, who sustained a season-ending foot injury in March.

The hosts will have to assess left-back Leonardo Buta after he was forced to miss the draw with Boavista due to injury.

Ali Alipour dropped out of the Gil Vicente lineup last weekend, but the Iranian forward could be given the opportunity to lead the line against Farense.

Meanwhile, Farense goalkeeper Luiz Felipe remains sidelined through injury, while midfielder Claudio Falcao will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.

With Falcao unavailable, Fabricio Isidoro could be presented with the chance to make his 13th start of the Primeira Liga season.

Having scored in each of his last five appearances, Duarte will look to continue his fine run of form when he spearheads Farense's attack on Sunday.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup: Andrew; Pinto, Pereira, Buatu, Silva; Gbane, Dominguez; Murilo, Fujimoto, Correia; Depu

SC Farense possible starting lineup: Velho; Pastor, Silva, Rossi, Talys; Barbosa, Isidoro, Mattheus; Belloumi, Matias, Duarte

We say: Gil Vicente 1-2 SC Farense

Farense will carry significant momentum into Sunday's contest after claiming back-to-back victories, and we think that they will make it three wins in three when they face a Gil Vicente side that are winless in six matches.

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