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

The Vila Nova head into the weekend on a run of two back-to-back home victories and will look to pick up a third on the bounce for the first time since November 2022.

Match preview

Famalicao continue to struggle for results on the road as they could only salvage a 2-2 draw against Boavista when the sides squared off at the Estadio do Bessa last Saturday.

After falling behind to Jhonder Cadiz's 12th-minute penalty, goals from Miguel Reisinho and Salvador Agra helped the hosts turn the game on its head before Justin De Haas struck in the 92nd minute to force a share of the spoils.

Joao Pedro Sousa's men have now failed to win eight of their last nine away matches across all competitions, losing four and claiming four draws since the first week in April.

The Vila Nova now return home, where they have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season, playing out a goalless draw with Moreirense on August 21 before claiming successive victories over Farense and Arouca in September respectively.

Vitoria de Guimaraes, on the other hand, turned in a performance of the highest quality as they fought back from two goals down to claim a 3-2 victory over Estoril Praia at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques last Sunday.

In an action-packed contest, Tiago Araujo and Rodrigo Gomes scored inside the opening 20 minutes to put the visitors in a commanding lead before Andre Silva, Joao Mendes and Allison Safira netted second-half goals to turn the game on its head.

Prior to that, Alvaro Pacheco's men were on a four-match winless run across all competitions, picking up one draw and losing four, including a 1-0 defeat against Tondela in the Taca da Liga qualifiers on September 9.

Next up for Vitoria de Guimaraes is an opposing side who have managed just two wins in their last 10 meetings, while losing six and picking up two draws since September 2018.

Os Vitorianos have now picked up four wins, one draw and lost two of their seven Primeira Liga matches to collect 13 points and sit sixth in the league table, one point and one place above this weekend's hosts.

Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

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L

W

D

W

D

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

W

W

L

L

D

W

Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

D

W

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Team News

Famalicao will take to the pitch without the attacking duo of Chiquinho and Cadiz, who are suspended following their sending-off against Boavista last time out.

On the injury front, the Vila Nova will have to cope without 23-year-old forward Theo Fonseca, who continues his road to full fitness after suffering an ACL injury last October.

Vitoria de Guimaraes will be without the services of Mikel Villanueva, who is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game after picking up a foot injury against Benfica on September 2.

Summer signing Telmo Arcanjo is yet to make an appearance since joining from Tondela due to a muscle injury and the 22-year-old forward is out of contention for this weekend's tie.

Turra will also be unable to call upon Portuguese defender Ricardo Mangas, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a severe injury back in May.

Safira was an inspired substitution for Os Vitorianos against Estoril last time out and the Brazilian forward, who scored five league goals last season, could be rewarded with his first start of the season.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Aguirregabiria, De Haas, Otavio, Moura; Youssouf, Lacoux; Rodriguez, Liimatta, Aranda; Araujo

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Fernandes, M Silva, Ribeiro; Gaspar, T Silva, Handel, Mendes, Freitas; J Silva, A Silva

We say: Famalicao 1-1 Vitoria de Guimaraes

Famalicao and Vitoria de Guimaraes have enjoyed a decent start to the season and are currently separated by just one point in the top half of the table. Both sides are evenly matched on paper and we predict they will cancel each other's efforts and settle for a share of the spoils.

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