Guimaraesvs.Nacional

The Alvinegros, on the other hand, head into this one looking to secure their first away win since returning to the top flight and pull three points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

Vitoria de Guimaraes were left spitting feathers in their midweek Conference League clash against Fiorentina as they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Italian outfit after conceding an 87th-minute equaliser.

In an action-packed contest at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques, Gustavo Silva opened the scoring in the 33rd minute to put the home side in front but Rolando Mandragora struck with three minutes left in the game to force a share of the spoils.

Despite the result, head coach Rui Borges will take pride in his side's performance in Europe so far as they are one of just two unbeaten sides in the Conference League, picking up four wins and two draws from their six games to collect 14 points and sit second in the standings.

Vitoria de Guimaraes now turn their focus to the Primeira Liga, where they have blown hot and cold in recent weeks, claiming just two wins and losing two of their nine matches since securinh back-to-back victories over Famalicao and Braga back in September.

While Os Vimaranenses have struggled to put together a run of form in the league, they remain in the mix to secure a spot in Europe as they sit sixth in the league table with 22 points from 14 games, five points off fourth-placed Santa Clara in the Conference League qualification spot.

Over in the South Coast, Nacional were denied consecutive wins for the first time since returning to the Primeira Liga as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Benfica on Thursday.

Following a goalless first half at the Estadio da Madeira, 36-year-old Angel Di Maria broke the deadlock just before the hour mark to hand Benfica the lead before adding his second of the game in the 74th minute to make sure of the result.

Prior to that, Nacional snapped their three-match winless run on December 14, when they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Moreirense on home turf courtesy of 55th-minute strike from Jose Gomes.

Tiago Margarido's men have now lost eight of their 14 Primeira Liga matches while picking up three wins and three draws to collect 12 points and sit 15th in the league table, just one point above rock-bottom Arouca.

Having gained promotion from the Segunda Liga last term, Nacional's struggles in the big leagues has been owing to their woes on the road, where they are yet to taste victory across all competitions and currently hold the second-fewest point tally in the league (2).

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

D

W

L

W

L

D

Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions):

D

W

L

W

D

D

Nacional Primeira Liga form:

W

L

D

L

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L

Team News

Vitoria de Guimaraes will take to the pitch without the duo of Venezuela forward Jesus Ramirez and 33-year-old Nelson Oliveira, who continue their spells on the sidelines.

Experienced defender Bruno Gaspar has missed each of the last three games through a muscle problem and the 31-year-old is also out of contention for Monday's matchup.

Fellow defender Toni Borevkovic is also set to sit out his fifth consecutive game since coming off injured in Os Vimaranenses' clash against Gil Vicente on December 2.

As for Nacional, Nigel Thomas was formed off injured after just nine minutes against Benfica last time out and the 23-year-old forward is a major doubt for Monday's clash.

Should he fail to shake off the injury, Brazilian striker Dudu should take his place in the XI, forming the front three with skipper Luis Esteves and 20-year-old Isaac.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Baio, Fernandes, Rivas, Mendes; Samu, J Silva, T Silva; Cesar, G Silva, Santos

Nacional possible starting lineup:

Franca; Garcia, Ze Vitor; Ulisses, Gomes; Dias, Soumare, Appiah; Isaac, Dudu, Esteves

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-0 Nacional

It has been a difficult first half of the season for newly-promoted Nacional, who find themselves languishing at the wrong end of the table heading into the new year.

Guimaraes, meanwhile, made it seven straight home games without defeat with their midweek stalemate against Fiorentina, claiming five wins and two draws, and we are backing them to see off the Alvinegros, who have struggled to impose themselves on the road.

Written by

Joshua Ojele

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