Casa Pia host Vitoria de Guimaraes in Saturday's Primeira Liga gameweek seven clash at Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior, keen to extend their undefeated run.
The hosts have gone three matches without losing and hope to make it four without defeat against an opponent still reeling from a 3-0 thrashing by potential title contenders Porto in the previous round.
Match preview
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After a slow start to their 2024-25 campaign, Casa Pia have recovered to claim seven points from the last nine, leaving them five points and as many places behind Vitoria.
Joao Pereira's men lost their opening three fixtures against Boavista, Benfica and Santa Clara, which sent early-season alarm bells ringing in Lisbon.
However, Os Gansos have since netted their first goals of 2024-25 after firing blanks in three consecutive gameweeks to beat Estrela (1-0), Moreirense (3-1) and draw with Gil Vicente (1-1).
Having found the net for three league matches on the trot, Casapianos aim to make that four against a side yet to beat them since gaining promotion.
The Lisbon outfit have claimed two victories and as many draws in the past two campaigns, scoring three times and conceding none, and they have entered this weekend's match-up in prime form to keep that run going.
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Vitoria were on a two-match winning run before unsurprisingly coming unstuck in last week's 3-0 loss against title-challenging Porto, leaving Rui Borges's side fifth in the top flight.
Os Conquistadores went into that gameweek six loss on a three-match run of victories in all competitions and aim to bounce back with a positive showing against an opponent they have struggled against for two years running.
Finding the back of the net will be Vitoria's first step to avoiding a third defeat this term and another against Casa Pia, having fallen to losses in both league fixtures where they could not register a goal — 1-0 reverse at AVS and 3-0 loss against Porto.
Success for the fifth-placed club (12 points) could take them as high as third if Benfica (13) and Santa Clara (12) drop points, although losing in Lisbon could see Os Conquistadores drop two places to seventh if Famalicao and Braga (both on 11 points) secure wins against Nacional and Rio Ave, respectively.
Team News
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Claudio Mendes and Kiki remain Casa Pia's expected absentees due to injury, while Duplexe Tchamba and Max Svensson will be assessed after going off with apparent issues last weekend.
Having scored from five different sources this term, Casapianos could hurt their opponents from multiple areas, even if Gaizka Larrazabal's creativity (he has fashioned three big chances so far) also threatens Vitoria.
Having suffered no ostensible new injuries in last week's loss against Porto, Jorge Fernandes and Mikel Villanueva could be the visiting club's absentees this weekend.
Although Vitoria have had multiple goalscorers this term, Tiago Silva and Nelson Oliveira providing for teammates has contributed to the team's strong start and aim to add to their two assists.
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Sequeira; Tchamba, Goulart, Fonte; Geraldes, Kraev, Sousa, Lelo; Moreira, Svensson, Blanco
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Gasper, Borevkovic, Ribeiro, Mendes; Silva, Handel; Cesar, Santos, Mendes; Oliveira
We say: Casa Pia 0-0 Vitoria de Guimaraes
Even though Vitoria will hope to snap their winless run of matches against Casa Pia this weekend, a share of the spoils could be in the offing in Saturday's encounter, with both sides choosing caution over offensive fluidity in Lisbon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
