Thursday's Primeira Liga predictions including Sporting Lisbon vs. Pacos de Ferreira

Gil Vicente vs. Santa Clara (Thursday, 5.00pm)

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After a month-long break for the first-ever winter World Cup, Gil Vicente and Santa Clara return to action in the Portuguese Primeira Liga when they lock horns at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Thursday.

Off the back of their respective exits from the Taca da Liga, both sides will head into the midweek matchup in search of a morale-boosting result as they look to strengthen their position in the league table.

We say: Gil Vicente 2-2 Santa Clara

While Gil Vicente will be looking to quickly bounce back from their cup disappointment, they have struggled for results at home, where they have won just one and lost six of their last nine matches. However, Santa Clara have suffered a slump in form in recent weeks and are tipping both sides to settle for a share of the spoils.

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Estoril vs. Boavista (Thursday, 7.00pm)

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Two sides in need of a pick-me-up in the Portuguese Primeira Liga go head to head as Estoril Praia play host Boavista at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Thursday.

Both sides head into the weekend separated by just one point and two places in the bottom half of the standings, so this game should make for an exciting watch.

We say: Estoril Praia 1-1 Boavista

Off the back of their League Cup exits, Estoril Praia and Boavista will head into the midweek matchup in search of a morale-boosting result. Petit's side have enjoyed the better of this fixture, but we predict the spoils will be shared between the two evenly-matched sides on Thursday.

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Sporting Lisbon vs. Pacos de Ferreira (Thursday, 9.15pm)

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Sporting Lisbon are back in action in the Portuguese Primeira Liga when they go head to head with Pacos de Ferreira at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Thursday.

Ruben Amorim's side head into the midweek matchup fresh off the back of a perfect run to the Taca da Liga semi-finals and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.

We say: Sporting Lisbon 3-0 Pacos de Ferreira

Sporting Lisbon will be licking their lips ahead of Thursday's game as they go up against league strugglers Pacos de Ferreira, who are looking more likely to drop to the second tier as the season goes by. Amorim's put together a superb run of form during the World Cup break and we are backing them to claim a comfortable victory in front of their home fans.

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