Preview: Moreirense vs Vitoria de Guimaraes - prediction, team news, lineups

Moreirense will look to extend their flawless start to the new Primeira Liga campaign as they welcome Vitoria de Guimaraes to Parque Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on Saturday.

The Green and Whites are one of only five sides in the division to have taken maximum points from their opening two matches, while their visitors from Guimaraes recovered from an opening-day defeat to claim victory over Estoril Praia last weekend.

Match preview

Moreirense closed out the 2024-25 season on a positive note, with a 3-0 triumph over AVS on the final day ending a five-game winless run, and that late spark seems to have carried into the new campaign.

Vasco Botelho da Costa’s men have hit the ground running in their two outings so far, drawing first blood in both encounters, and although it took a Yan Manhao strike deep into stoppage time to edge past Alverca, the Green and Whites showed admirable composure to preserve their lead last weekend in the Azores.

For the second successive game, Guilherme Schettine struck the opener, finding the net in the eighth minute to seal a narrow 1-0 victory over Santa Clara, a result that has lifted Moreirense to fifth place in the standings.

While they will be aiming for three wins from three, the Minho outfit face a stern challenge against opponents they have failed to beat in their last three meetings, losing twice and sharing the spoils once.

Vitoria responded to their loss against Porto on matchday one by edging Estoril Praia in a five-goal spectacle at Estadio D. Afonso Henriques last weekend.

The contest swung from end to end, with the visitors drawing first blood before finding themselves behind and then restoring parity, but Tiago Silva’s composed penalty in the 69th minute ultimately secured maximum points for the Conquerors.

Luis Freire’s side will now look to string together consecutive victories, but their recent visits to Moreirense have been far from straightforward, recording just one win from their last five away top-flight encounters in this fixture.

To compound matters, Vitoria have suffered back-to-back defeats on the road in the Primeira Liga stretching from last season, so even a draw against a buoyant Moreirense outfit would not be viewed as a poor outcome.

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:

Moreirense form (all competitions):

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions):

Team News

Other than the absences of the injured Michel and Guilherme Liberato, who were not expected to feature, Moreirense boast a full squad at their disposal.

Schettine will undoubtedly be brimming with confidence after finding the net in consecutive games, and the fact that he scored the last time both sides met adds further spring to his step.

Rodrigo Abascal and Miguel Nobrega are expected to marshal the Vitoria defence once again in a back three alongside Miguel Maga, who has been redeployed as a centre-back.

Jota Silva Blanco made an impression from the bench last weekend and will push Gustavo Silva for a starting berth out wide, though Nelson Oliveira remains unchallenged in the number nine role after repaying Freire’s trust with a goal against Estoril.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Secco; Martinez, Marcelo, Maracas, Pinto; Stjepanovic, Ofori, Alonso; Bondoso, Schettine, Teguia

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Charles; Nobrega, Abascal, Maga; Mendes, Silva, Handel, Felix; Silva, Oliveira, Santos

We say: Moreirense 2-2 Vitoria de Guimaraes

Moreirense may look the sharper side, but Vitoria’s victory last weekend should give them confidence going into this clash, so a share of the spoils could be on the cards.

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