O Elvasvs.Guimaraes

While the visitors sit in sixth position in the Primeira Liga table, the home side ply their trade at the fourth tier of Portuguese football.

Match preview

Having seen Rui Borges leave for Sporting Lisbon, Guimaraes are facing somewhat of a transitional period with Daniel Sousa now at the helm.

On the back of his four-game stint with Braga at the start of the season, the 40-year-old has much to prove, and two draws have been posted in his opening double-header.

A 2-2 draw at Farense was followed by a thrilling eight-goal thriller against Sporting, Guimaraes overturning a 3-1 deficit to lead before conceding a last-gasp equaliser.

Nevertheless, positives will be taken from that performance and result when they resume league action on January 18.

For now, the focus is on this competition with 3-1 and 2-0 victories being posted over Pacos Ferreira and Uniao de Leiria to reach the last 16.

Meanwhile, O Elvas continue to dream big having emerged as one of the surprise packages of the tournament to earn a spot in this round.

AD Marco 09, Torreense and Varzim have all been overcome, the first two ties being decided on penalties before Pedro Hipolito's side came from behind in their last-32 encounter.

In all competitions, this is a team that have suffered just one defeat in 17 games during 2024-25, while they have recorded five successive clean sheets in the Campeonato de Portugal.

O Elvas currently sit seven points clear at the top of that division as they bid to earn promotion to the third tier of Portuguese football.

O Elvas Taca de Portugal form:

W

W

O Elvas form (all competitions):

L

W

W

Vitoria de Guimaraes Taca de Portugal form:

W

W

Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions):

W

D

D

D

D

D

Team News

Desmond Nketia is expected to lead the line for O Elvas having scored seven goals in all competitions this season.

With another shutout kept in the previous game against Arronches e Benfica, Hipolito may be prepared to select the same XI.

Meanwhile, Sousa may choose to select his strongest Guimaraes as he bids to build some momentum during his early weeks in charge.

However, changes are likely to be made with Joao Mendes, Telmo Arcanjo and Dieu-Merci Michel all coming off the substitutes' bench to contribute a goal or assist versus Sporting.

Samu, Nuno Santos and Gustavo Silva could all drop out of the starting lineup to accommodate their recalls.

O Elvas possible starting lineup:

Bolas; Djalo, Cardoso, Dias, Innusah, Cotao, Meireles, Enoh, Silva, Almara, Nketia

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Baio, Fernandes, Rivas, Mendes; T.Silva, M.Silva; Cesar, Mendes, Arcanjo; Michel

We say: O Elvas 0-3 Vitoria de Guimaraes

With O Elvas having progressed through to this round without playing a top-flight side, we have to be realistic regarding their chances. Although they may be competitive for a time, the home side are likely to ultimately fail to match the class of their opponents over the 90 minutes.

Written by

Darren Plant

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