Preview: Nacional vs Gil Vicente - prediction, team news, lineups

The brand new 2025-26 Primeira Liga season is about to begin, and Nacional will take on Gil Vicente on Saturday at Estadio da Madeira.

Both teams finished last season on 34 points, with the visitors ahead of their hosts only due to better goal difference.

Match preview

Nacional returned to the Primeira Liga in 2024-25 after a three-year absence, and they would be very proud of what they have achieved, after finishing 14th in the league table.

Tiago Margarido took charge of Alvinegros in 2023, and he guided them to promotion in his first season. The Portuguese boss has gradually transformed the club, and he should be aiming to finish within the top ten this season.

The summer transfer window has been crucial for them, and Margarido completely overhauled the midfield, signing as many as seven midfielders, including Matheus Dias from Sport Club Internacional.

Nacional also added depth in their attacking areas by signing three centre forwards. However, the Madeira club have operated on a tight budget, and most of their signings have come on a free transfer.

The new signings will need time to adapt, and that was evident during the pre-season, with the Nacionalistas losing four out of their last six games.

In contrast, Gil Vicente are an established mid-table side, but the Gilistas fans will probably want to see more from the team.

In 2023-24, they finished 12th in the league and moved one step backwards to finish 13th last season, although Cesar Peixoto has done a brilliant job so far.

Peixoto was a former player for Gil Vicente, and he took charge of the club at a time when they were heading towards relegation. They picked up only five wins before the 45-year-old was appointed in late March, and since then, there has been an upturn in results.

In eight matches under him, Gil Vicente won three and drew twice, and they comfortably avoided the drop in the end.

They have signed as many as 10 new players this summer, including Luis Esteves, who joined from Nacional on a free transfer.

Team News

Margarido will try to incorporate some of the new signings into the starting XI, which means the likes of Dias, Liziero, Jesus Ramirez, Filipe Soares, and Joel Silva could all start.

Lucas Joao, Baeza, Deivison, and Ivanildo were recently absent from the training due to injuries, but apart from that, Margarido has a nearly full-fit squad available for selection.

Gil Vicente have no known injuries or suspensions, and some of their new signings could make their league debut this weekend.

Among the players who could appear for the first time is Gustavo Varela - a 20-year-old striker on loan from Benfica - while right-back Hevertton has joined from Queens Park Rangers on a temporary deal with an option to buy.

Nacional possible starting lineup:

Franca; Vitor, Santos, Nunez, Gomes; Liziero, Dias, Soares; Witi, Labidi, Ramirez

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Andrew; Buatu, Elimbi, Konan, Carlos; Pereira, Carlos, Esteves; Toure, Moreira, Pablo