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

Still searching for his first Primeira Liga point since taking over Vitoria de Guimaraes in June, Tiago Margarido welcomes his former club Nacional to Estadio D. Afonso Henriques for matchday three action on Saturday evening.

The 37-year-old manager has seen his team lose their opening two league fixtures, and his next challenge comes against the club he left at the end of last season, while Joao Giao has enjoyed an impressive start since taking over the Funchal outfit.

Match preview

After an impressive pre-season campaign under Margarido, who saw his side win five of their seven summer friendlies (D2), few would have expected Vitoria to make such a slow start, particularly with the opportunity to begin their league campaign at home.

The Conquerors suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Arouca in their Primeira Liga opener at Afonso Henriques, though last weekend's 3-2 defeat at Sporting Lisbon was a much more spirited performance that could have produced a different outcome had the Guimaraes club been more proactive.

After finding themselves three goals down in the first half, two quickfire strikes from Samu and Alioune Ndoye after the hour mark sparked hopes of a dramatic comeback, but Vitoria left Estadio Jose Alvalade empty-handed, extending a poor run that dates back to the previous campaign.

Currently on a five-match losing streak in the league, the Conquerors also suffered defeat in their final three matches of 2025-26, when they finished ninth before Gil Lameiras's departure, while they currently sit 16th in the early standings.

Vitoria can be optimistic about halting their slide this weekend given they have won three of their last five meetings with Nacional on home soil and remained unbeaten in the other two, though they did lose 2-0 in Funchal on the final day of last season, shortly before Margarido left Nacional.

Chasing back-to-back victories in this fixture for the first time since doing so between May and November 2015, Nacional enter this encounter with confidence after picking up four points from their opening two fixtures of the new campaign.

Giao saw his side battle back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw at Santa Clara on matchday one before securing his first competitive victory in charge last weekend, when the Madeira club recorded a 2-0 home win over Estoril Praia.

Benefiting from being a man up for a large part of the encounter after Xeka's 32nd-minute dismissal, the Green and Blacks made the most of that advantage after the interval, with goals from Ze Vitor and Leo Santos earning them all three points.

The result means Nacional have scored exactly two goals in each of their last three league appearances, including their victory over Vitoria on the final day of last season, and they will look to maintain that attacking momentum here.

Currently fourth in the Primeira Liga table, Nacional's early-season form provides encouragement for a side looking to finally break into the upper half this term after consecutive 14th-placed finishes, with this weekend offering another opportunity to strengthen their hopes.

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

Nacional Primeira Liga form:

Team News

Vitoria appear to have no injury concerns among their regulars, although manager Margarido could make a change to the side that started last weekend following their spirited second-half display.

The introduction of Miguel Nogueira after the interval brought a change in performance, and the forward could earn his first start of the campaign after providing an assist for Samu's goal.

Ndoye is expected to lead the line once again after finding the net against Sporting, and he will be aiming to put his name on the scoresheet this weekend also.

As for Nacional, Ulisses Rocha will continue his lengthy recovery from injury, with left-back Jose Gomes also doubtful to feature this weekend.

Manager Giao is likely to stick with his winning lineup from the previous outing, with Pablo Ruan expected to keep his place in the number nine role despite drawing a blank in the opening two fixtures of the campaign.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Zych; Maga, Rivas, Balieiro, Mendes; G Nogueira, Beni; M Nogueira, Samu, Silva; Ndoye

Nacional possible starting lineup:

Marin; Vitor, Dias, Santos; Wesley, Liziero, Soares, Jensen; Baeza, Ruan, Daniel

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-1 Nacional

While Vitoria have suffered defeat in their opening two fixtures, there have been signs of attacking intent in both games, with their opening-day loss coming largely due to wastefulness, while their second-half performance against Sporting could provide a boost heading into this fixture.

Nacional have enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, but they travel to Guimaraes, where they have struggled in recent visits, and we expect a home victory as Margarido searches for his first competitive win in charge of the Minho club.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.