Preview: Portimonense vs. Vitoria de Guimaraes - prediction

Vitoria de Guimaraes will look to put an end to a four-game losing run on Friday when they travel to the Estadio Municipal de Portimao to take on Portimonense.

A 5-1 win for the hosts last time out saw them move away from the drop zone and up to 12th spot in the Primeira Liga table, while Vitoria suffered a narrow defeat at home to Tondela to make it four consecutive defeats in the top flight.

Match preview

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Portimonense were involved in a crucial tie at the bottom of the Primeira Liga table last Friday, when they travelled to take on a Nacional outfit who had dropped into the bottom three after six consecutive defeats.

Paulo Sergio 's side would ensure that tally was increased to seven straight losses, as they secured a dominant 5-1 victory thanks to a Beto brace and goals from Luquinha, Fali Cande and Fabricio.

As a result of that win, the Algarve outfit moved up to 12th spot in the top flight, having previously sat worryingly close to the bottom three.

However, Sergio's side are by no means safe yet, with just three points between themselves and Farense in the relegation playoff place, and five points between themselves and the automatic relegation places.

He will be desperate to pick another crucial victory on Friday to stretch that gap further and boost their chances of survival.

However, they welcome a Vitoria de Guimaraes outfit who will be looking for a big win of their own, as they look to break a run which has seen them lose their last four league outings.

After a strong start to the season, Joao Henriques 's side have struggled in the second half of the campaign, quite possibly suffering from having very little to play for in the league.

As a result, a large gap has formed between Vitoria and the top five, with nine points between them and fifth-placed Pacos de Ferreira.

Last time out, Henriques's men suffered a disappointing home defeat to ninth-placed Tondela.

The visitors led through Mario Gonzalez, but Vitoria's star man Oscar Estupinan levelled the game late in the first half before Gonzalez netted his second with 10 minutes to go to snatch all three points for the visitors.

That stretched their losing run to four games, having previously lost to league leaders Sporting Lisbon, as well as heavy defeats to Braga and Gil Vicente.

Henriques will look to end that poor run in this game, as they take on a side threatened by relegation, presenting a good opportunity to return to winning ways and get their season back on track.

Portimonense Primeira Liga form:

L

D

W

L

L

W

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

L

W

L

L

L

L

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Team News

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Portimonense will welcome important midfielder Pedro Sa back to action on Friday, after he served a suspension last time out for a red card shown against Porto.

Ewerton could also return to the side, having been absent from the squad for the last two matches.

Beto will lead the line with confidence, having netted a brace in the thrashing of Nacional last time out.

Vitoria de Guimaraes will remain without Joseph Amoah, Jacob Maddox and Silvio, as all three continue spells on the sidelines through injury.

However, they should be boosted by the return of centre-back Abdul Mumin, who has served a two-game suspension for a red card.

They will also welcome midfielder Pepelu back to action, after he served a suspension last time out for accumulating five yellow cards this season.

Oscar Estupinan will come in with some confidence in attack, having broken his small goal drought last time out to take his tally to eight goals from 14 league games this campaign.

Portimonense possible starting lineup:

Samuel; Possignolo, Rocha, Antonio; Moufi, Clemente, Sa, Anzai; Boa Morte, Beto, Da Silva

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Sacko, Fernandes, Mumin, Sa; Andre, Almeida, Pepelu; Lameiras, Estupinan, Rochinha

We say: Portimonense 1-2 Vitoria de Guimaraes

Despite a poor run of form in recent weeks, Vitoria's quality should not be underestimated, and they still possess the ability to beat most of the sides in the Portuguese top flight on their day.

While Portimonense will battle hard for a result to keep them away from the bottom three, we see this game being the one where the Guimaraes outfit put an end to their poor run and outclass their opposition.

Top tip

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