Fresh off the back of an opening-day victory in the Taca da Liga, Estoril Praia journey to the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques to face Vitoria de Guimaraes in round seven of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.
Having lost each of the last three meetings between the sides, the Canarinhos will head into this one looking to get one over the hosts and get their league campaign up and running.
Match preview
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Vitoria de Guimaraes failed to arrest their slump in form as they were held to a goalless draw by Casa Pia when the sides squared off at the Estadio Municipal de Rio Maior last Saturday.
Despite seeing a bulk of the chances, the visitors were guilty of a lethargic display in the final third as they failed to truly threaten the Casa Pia goal before settling for a share of the spoils.
Paulo Turra's men have now failed to win any of their last four matches across all competitions since August's 2-0 victory over Vizela, claiming one draw and losing three, including a shock 1-0 home loss to Tondela in the Taca da Liga qualifiers on September 9.
A lack of sting in front of goal has been a recurring theme and a major reason behind the Vitoria de Guimaraes' poor form as they have now failed to find the back of the net in three of their last four matches while scoring once in that time.
For all their recent struggle, Vitoria de Guimaraes are currently seventh in the Primeira Liga table, having picked up 10 points from their first seven matches, and could move level with fourth-placed Braga with all three points this weekend.
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Estoril Praia, on the other hand, kicked off the new Taca da Liga campaign on a positive note as they scraped a 1-0 victory over Leixoes in the Group D curtain-raiser on Wednesday.
In an action-packed contest at the Sea Stadium, Cassiano and Leo Bolgado scored for either side to end the first half level before Heriberto Tavares grabbed the winning goal with a clean strike shortly after the hour mark.
Manager Vasco Seabra will hope Wednesday's result can serve as a springboard for a fine run of form as Estoril turn their sight to the Primeira Liga, where they are currently on a four-match winless run, claiming just one point from a possible 12.
The Canarinhos' only league win this season came on August 20, when they edged out Rio Ave 2-0 at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota courtesy of second-half goals from Eliaquim Mangala and Alejandro Marques.
With just four points from the first 18 available this season, Estoril Praia are currently bottom but one in the league table but could rise as high as 10th place with a win on Sunday.
Next up is the challenge of taking on an opposing side who have won each of their last three meetings and are unbeaten in their last five, claiming four wins and one draw since a 3-0 loss in August 2017.
Team News
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Vitoria de Guimaraes will take to the pitch without Portuguese defender Ricardo Mangas, who has been sidelined since May through a severe injury.
He is joined on the club's injury table by fellow defender Mikel Villanueva, who has missed each of the last three matches after sustaining a foot problem against Benfica on September 2.
Cape Verde international Telmo Arcanjo, who completed a summer move from Tondela, is yet to feature for Vitoria de Guimaraes as he also continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Estoril Praia will once again have to cope without the experience of veteran defender Mangala, who is set to sit out his fifth straight game after picking up an injury against Estrela Amadora on August 25.
Tavares was involved in both goals in the midweek cup victory over Leixoes and the 26-year-old should lead the visitors' attack once again, alongside Cassiano and Marques
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Ribeiro, Silva, Fernandes; Gaspar, Mendes, T Silva, Handel, Freitas; J Silva, Andre
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Volnei, Alvaro, Vital; Gomes, Fernandes, Koindredi, Araujo; Tavares, Cassiano, Marques
We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 0-1 Estoril Praia
Buoyed by their midweek cup victory, Estoril Praia will head into Sunday's games with renewed confidence as they look to pull clear of the bottom of the table. After a solid start to the campaign, Vitoria de Guimaraes appear to have run out of steam and we fancy the visitors scraping a narrow victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
