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

Vitoria progressed to the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal with a convincing victory at Canelas 2010, but their visitors were not as fortunate in the cup, being knocked out by fourth-tier Machico.

Match preview

It has been an enjoyable few weeks for Vitoria fans, who have seen their side pick up two wins and two draws in their past four league games, including the victory against Pacos Ferreira two weeks ago, thanks to a ninth-minute strike from Nelson Luz.

They have picked up 14 points from their first nine games and sit three points behind fourth in the table, recovering from three straight defeats towards the end of August.

They have had their problems in front of goal, with only the bottom four scoring fewer than Vitoria, but they have been defensively solid with only Casa Pia and table-topping Benfica conceding fewer.

Vitoria have accumulated five clean sheets over the first nine matches, including the goalless draw with Benfica three weeks ago, and they have only conceded more than once on two occasions but have never lost by more than one goal.

Boavista started the season well, but they have faltered in recent weeks to find themselves without a win in their past two league games.

Firstly, they were dominated by lowly Famalicao in a heavy 4-0 defeat before being held to a 1-1 draw with bottom side Maritimo in their last league game.

They followed that up with the humiliating 1-0 defeat at Machico in the cup last weekend, which was the fourth time this season they have failed to score in a game.

Their last win did come at home against Sporting Lisbon - a brace from Bruno Lourenco was enough to seal a 2-1 victory.

The Chequered Ones find themselves in sixth place, just outside the European spots, and are only three points behind third-place Braga, albeit with a vastly inferior goal difference.

Boavista have conceded the most goals among teams in the top half of the table and have only managed to keep two clean sheets all season long, although they are definitely benefitting from how tight the middle of the division is to find themselves so high up the table.

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

L

L

W

D

D

W

Boavista Primeira Liga form:

L

W

W

W

L

D

Team News

Vitoria could be without a whole host of key players, including midfield duo Thomas Handel and Andre Silva, as well as Jorge Fernandes, who is still recovering from a muscle problem.

Defenders Miguel Maga and Bruno Gasper are still sidelined, but Celtic loanee Mikey Johnston could earn his first league start of the season after impressing in the cup win last weekend.

Boavista are still without Miguel Reisinho, and they will have to do without him for a little while after the midfielder suffered a severe knee injury back in August.

They are also still without Reggie Cannon, as the United States international is yet to recover from the problem that has kept him out for three weeks, which means they could be unchanged from the Maritimo draw.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Amaro, Villanueva, Bamba; Carlos, Andre, Silva, Ogawa; Johnston, Silva, Lameiras

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Bracali; Sasso, Abascal, Onyemaechi; Malheiro, Makouta, Perez, Mangas; Lourenco, Njie, Agra

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-1 Boavista

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