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

The Vilacondenses, who are unbeaten in their last six Primeira Liga games against the visitors, will be looking to extend this fine spell as they push for a top-half finish.

Match preview

Rio Ave were left spitting feathers last Sunday when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Maritimo at the Estadio do Maritimo after throwing away a two-goal lead.

Hernani and Leonardo Ruiz scored quick-fire goals to hand the visitors a two-goal lead but Felix Correia pulled one back on the stroke of half time before Andre Vidigal struck in the 76th minute to force a share of the spoils.

Rio Ave have now failed to win eight of their nine away matches since the turn of the year — losing four and claiming four draws — with March's 2-0 victory at Santa Clara being the exception.

Prior to that, Luis Freire's men snapped their run of four consecutive games without a win on April 21, when they edged out Arouca 1-0 courtesy of Paulo Vitor's second-half efforts.

With 39 points from 31 matches, Rio Ave are currently 12th in the Primeira Liga standings, but could potentially move up to eighth place with all three points this weekend.

Vitoria de Guimaraes, on the other hand, kept their quest for European football alive as they hammered Vizela 3-0 when the sides squared off last Sunday.

In an end-to-end affair at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques, the Vizelenses were made to rue their missed chances as Mikel Villanueva, Andre Silva and Afonso Freitas found the target to hand the hosts a comfortable victory.

This followed a 2-1 victory over Maritimo at the Estadio do Maritimo on April 29, when Tiago Silva and Andre Silva netted in either half to bring their three-match losing streak to an end.

Joao Teixeira's side have now picked up 14 wins and five draws from their 31 matches to collect 47 points and sit sixth in the league table, one point off the Conference League qualification spot.

Vitoria de Guimaraes' upturn in form has been owing to their recent ruthlessness in attack, where they have scored five gold in their last two matches, having managed just three in their six games preceding that run.

Next up for Os Vimaranenses is a Rio Ave side who are unbeaten in each of the last six league meetings between the teams, claiming three wins and three draws since a 3-2 loss in December 2018.

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

L

D

D

L

W

D

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

D

L

L

L

W

W

Team News

Rio Ave remain without the services of Portuguese midfielder Joca, who has been out of action since last September through a knee injury.

Fellow countryman Bruno Ventura picked up a muscle problem following the game against Benfica on April 2 and is also out of contention for this weekend's clash.

Croatian full-back Renato Pantalon will serve the second of his three-match suspension after picking up a straight red card in the victory over Arouca on April 28.

As for Vitoria de Guimaraes, they will take to the pitch without defender Fonseca Amaro, who has missed each of the last six matches through a muscle problem.

Following last Sunday's impressive display against Vizela, Aroso could stick with a similar XI, with Jota Silva, Michael Johnston and Andre Silva spearheading the attack.

Mamadou Tounkara, Ibrahima Bamba and Villanueva have started at the back in each of the last three games and should retain their starting roles, with ex-Benfica man Bruno Varela in goal once again.

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Jhonatan; Nobrega, Santos, William; Costinha, Oudrhiri, Guga, Vitor; Hernani, Ruiz, Ukra

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Tounkara, Bamba; Villanueva; Maga, T Silva, Handel, Freitas; J Silva, Johnston, A Silva

We say: Rio Ave 1-1 Vitoria de Guimaraes

Following a rough few weeks, Vitoria de Guimaraes appear to have gotten into gear as they push to finish in the top five. However, they face the challenge of taking on a Rio Ave side who are unbeaten in five of their last six home matches since mid-February. We predict an end-to-end affair at the Estadio dos Arcos with both sides canceling out each other's efforts.

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