Seeking to pick up their first win on home soil this season, league bottom-dweller Pacos de Ferreira play host to Gil Vicente at the Estadio Capital do Movel on Tuesday.
The visitors, who have experienced a recent upturn in form, head into the midweek clash in search of a fourth win in five league outings as they look to move into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings.
Match preview
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Pacos de Ferreira were condemned to yet another defeat as they were beaten 2-0 by title-chasing Benfica when the sides squared off last Thursday.
In a one-sided affair at the Estadio Capital do Movel, Alejandro Grimaldo and Joao Mario netted inside the opening quarter-hour to inspire As Aguias to their 15th league victory of the season.
This followed a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Braga just five days earlier and was a far cry from their promising performance on January 14 when they edged out Rio Ave 2-1 to record just their first win of the season.
Pacos de Ferreira have now failed to win any of their 11 home games across all competitions this season, losing eight and claiming three draws — with their last victory on home soil coming in July's 1-0 pre-season win over Santa Clara.
With just six points from a possible 18, Cesar Peixoto's men remain rooted to the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings, eight points adrift of 16th-placed Santa Clara in the relegation playoff spot.
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Gil Vicente, on the other hand, continue to pull clear of the danger zone as they fought back from behind to secure an impressive 3-1 victory away to Casa Pia last Sunday.
Following a goalless first half, Rafael Martins broke the deadlock at the start of the second period, but a brace from Fran Navarro and Vitor Carvalho's 54th-minute strike helped the Gilistas turn things around at the National Sports Center of Jamor.
In their last four outings, Daniel Sousa's men have claimed victories over Santa Clara, Vitoria de Guimaraes and most recently Casa Pia, with their 1-0 defeat at Boavista on January 8 being the exception.
Gil Vicente have now picked up five wins, three draws and lost nine of their 17 matches this season to collect 18 points and sit 14th in the Primeira Liga table, but could move level on points with ninth-placed Vizela with a win on Tuesday.
The Gilistas will fancy their chances of picking up a third league win on the spin for the first time since April 2021 as they journey the Estadio Capital do Movel where they are unbeaten in their last five visits, claiming three wins and two draws since March 2013.
Team News
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Pacos de Ferreira will take to the pitch without Nigerian midfielder Abbas Ibrahim, who is set to sit out his seventh consecutive game through injury.
Having missed the game against Benfica through suspension, new signing Maracas is in line to return to the fold and should team up with 21-year-old Nuno Lima at the heart of the defence.
As for Gil Vicente, Sousa will be unable to call upon Brazilian goalkeeper Andrew Ventura, who has been out of action since picking up an injury in November.
He is joined on the Gilistas' injury list by fellow countryman Lucas Barros, who continues his long road to full fitness after suffering an ACL injury last May.
With his brace against Casa Pia last time out, Navarro now has 11 goals and two assists in 17 league matches this season and we expect the Spanish striker to spearhead the Gil Vicente attack once again.
Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:
Marafona; Delgado, Lima, Maracas, Bastos; Carlos, Holsgrove, Pires; Gaitan, Guedes, Uilton
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Kritsyuk; Carraca, Ferrugem, Araujo, Marin; Carvalho, Aburjania, Souza; Fujimoto, Alipour, Navarro
We say: Pacos de Ferreira 0-2 Gil Vicente
After a rough end to 2022, Gil Vicente have turned their fortunes around since the turn of the year and will be looking to continue in the same vein. Given the contrasting form between the two sides and Pacos de Ferreira's lack of sting up top, we are backing the Gilistas to claim all three points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
