Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Estoril Praia vs. Vitoria de Guimaraes - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 29 February 2024, 22:59
Estoril Praia and Vitoria de Guimaraes will both be looking to snap their three-match winless run when they go head to head at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota in round 24 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday.

Having won the last four meetings between the sides, Os Vimaranenses set out to complete a second consecutive league double over the hosts and move within two points of the Conference League qualification spot.

Match preview

Estoril Praia were left with a bitter taste of "what could have been" last Sunday when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Vizela in an action-packed showdown at the Estadio do FC Vizela.

After Samuel Essende scored a first-half brace to hand Vizela a commanding lead, Alejandro Marques, Vinicius Zanocelo and Rafik Guitane scored quick-fire goals after the 82nd-minute mark to put the visitors ahead in dramatic fashion, but Orest Lebedenko struck in the 95th minute to force a share of the spoils.

Since Estoril Praia suffered a penalty-shootout defeat against Braga in the Taca da Liga final on January 27, they have failed to win four of their five Primeira Liga outings and are currently on a run of just one point from the last nine available in the league.

This drop-off in form has seen Estoril's three-year spell in the top flight come under threat as they sit 13th in the league table, level on 22 points with Rio Ave, Estrela Amadora and 16th-placed Portimonense in the relegation playoff spot.

Next up for Vasco Seabra's side is the stern challenge of taking on a Vitoria de Guimaraes side who have won each of their last four meetings and are unbeaten in their last six encounters, claiming five wins and one draw since a 3-0 loss in August 2017.

While Estoril will be looking to end this seven-year run and steer clear of the danger zone, results at home offer little optimism as they have lost four of their last five matches at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota, with a 1-0 victory over Estrela on February 4 being the exception.

On the other hand, Vitoria de Guimaraes' quest for European football suffered a fresh blow last Saturday when they fell to a somewhat disappointing 2-0 defeat against Casa Pia at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques.

Despite seeing a bulk of the ball possession and taking a total of 29 shots in the game, the hosts failed to breach Casa Pia's resolute defence as Clayton and Pablo scored first-half goals to hand Os Gansos all three points.

Prior to that, Vitoria de Guimaraes were on a four-game unbeaten run across all competitions, picking up two draws and two wins, including a comfortable 3-1 victory in the Taca de Portugal quarter-finals on February 8.

However, last weekend's result means Alvaro Pacheco's men have now failed to taste victory in three consecutive league matches, claiming two points from a possible nine, and have won just one of their last five since late January.

This drop-off in form has threatened to derail Os Vimaranenses' push for a place in Europe as they now sit fifth in the league table, five points off fourth-placed Braga in the Conference League qualification spot.

However, Vitoria de Guimaraes head into the weekend on a decent run of results on their travels — claiming four wins and four draws in their 10 away matches across all competitions — and will be backing themselves to extend their

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:

L

D

W

L

L

D

Estoril Praia form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

L

D

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

W

L

W

D

D

L

Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions):

L

W

W

D

D

L

Team News

Scottish midfielder Jordan Holsgrove was forced off with a muscle injury in the 2-1 loss against Braga on January 27 and the 24-year-old is set to sit out his sixth consecutive game.

He is joined in the Canarinhos injury table by experienced defender Erick Cabaco, who has been sidelined for the remainder of the season after suffering an Achilles tendon injury last September.

Portuguese defender Pedro Alvaro has missed each of the last five matches through a muscle problem and the former Benfica man is also out of contention for Saturday's clash.

With his strike against Vizela, Alejandro Marques now has four goal involvements in Estoril's last three matches and the Venezuelan forward should lead the attack once again, alongside Joao Marques and Guitane, who has five league goals under his belt.

As for Vitoria de Guimaraes, first-choice goalkeeper Bruno Varela is ruled out through a muscle injury, meaning Charles da Silva should retain his role between the sticks this weekend.

Venezuelan defender Mikel Villanueva continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining an injury against Benfica back in September and will play no part in Saturday's game.

Os Vimaranenses will also take to the pitch without the services of Cape Verde midfielder Telmo Arcanjo, who has been sidelined since May 2023 through a cruciate ligament tear.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Figueira; Basso, Volnei, Mangala; Tavares, Fernandes, Zanocelo, Araujo; Guitane, A Marques, J Marques

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Charles; Borevkovic, Fernandes, Ribeiro; Gaspar, Handel, T Silva, Santos, Mangas; A Silva, J Silva

We say: Estoril Praia 1-3 Vitoria de Guimaraes

Looking at past results between Estoril and Vitoria de Guimaraes, we anticipate a thrilling contest at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota this weekend. While we expect both sides to go all out in search of maximum points, we are backing Pacheco's men to extend their dominance over the hosts and claim the desired result.

Previews by email

Top News

21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City officially announce that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Girona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga for the first time this season when they welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An in-form Las Palmas will be aiming to make it five wins from their last six matches in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Mallorca on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following four straight defeats leading into the international break, Aston Villa will return to action on Saturday, when Crystal Palace pay a visit to Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League action will return to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium this weekend when Al Khaleej play host to the defending champions Al-Hilal on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign against Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Robert Lewandowski is a mesmerising goal scorer, but it turns out that's not his only talent. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace may be without two of their key creators when they kick off on Saturday afternoon, as an ailing Premier League campaign resumes away to Aston Villa. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A clubs Juventus and Napoli. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, with Los Blancos considering making an attempt to bring the Brazilian back to Bernabeu in January. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola deciding to extend his stay at Manchester City could be good news for them in more than one sense. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo admitted there will be one key challenge to his son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, becoming a professional footballer. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Caoimhin Kelleher has the opportunity to become Chelsea's starting goalkeeper - he's too good to be Liverpool's back-up. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers could be without up to seven players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Marco Silva will be working with almost a fully-fit squad when his Fulham side play host to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Al Ettifaq chiefs admitted they were left in shock when Jordan Henderson told them he wanted to leave just months into joining the Saudi Pro League club. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers will be looking to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Valencia will play their first game since the devastating DANA storm struck the region when they welcome Real Betis to Mestalla for Saturday's La Liga contest. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides that were glad to see international football intervene will return from a much-needed break on Saturday, as Aston Villa and Crystal Palace meet at Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk St Johnstone host Kilmarnock this weekend at McDiarmid Park, in a clash between two struggling Scottish Premiership sides. 21 November 2024 talksport.com It would take a lot to humiliate Cole Palmer on a football pitch, but he's revealed what would need to happen to do so. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Iago Aspas is once again expected to start, as Celta Vigo continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a contest against division leaders Barcelona on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are set to again be without the services of a number of important players for Saturday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo, including Lamine Yamal, with the Spaniard not yet recovering from an ankle problem. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table meet on Saturday, as Burton Albion host Stockport County at the Pirelli Stadium. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube video with Mr Beast hit one million views in just 30 minutes. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion, Ipswich Town and Southampton are all reportedly interested in signing Vasco da Gama youngster Rayan. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga leaders Barcelona will be bidding to bounce back from a surprise defeat before the November international break when they resume their league campaign away to Celta Vigo on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal need a figure up front like Alexander Isak to replace Kai Havertz. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Celtic, looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season, are set to travel to Tynecastle Park to face relegation-threatened Hearts on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim will take charge of his first game as Manchester United manager this weekend as his side take on Ipswich.
Sat 23 Nov, 14:00
A
Verona Verona
-
sch
Inter Inter
Sat 23 Nov, 20:00
L1
Reims Reims
-
sch
Lyon Lyon