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

O Maior das Ilhas, on the other hand, head into the weekend unbeaten in four straight league games and will be seeking to pick up back-to-back away wins for the first time since March.

Match preview

Vitoria de Guimaraes progressed through to the round of 16 of the Taca de Portugal on Wednesday when they picked up an 2-1 extra-time victory over Vizela.

After falling behind to Anderson's 30th-minute own goal, the Vizelenses fought back into the game as substitute Kevin Zohi restored parity in the 81st minute, but Allison Safira converted his extra-time penalty to send the visitors packing.

Vitoria de Guimaraes now turn their attention to Primeira Liga, where they will be looking to return to winning ways after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sporting Lisbon when the sides met last Saturday.

Prior to that, Moreno's men were on a run of six consecutive matches without defeat, picking up four wins and two draws while scoring 10 goals and keeping three clean sheets in that time.

Vitoria de Guimaraes, who have picked up three wins and two draws in their last five home games, are currently sixth in the Primeira Liga standings but could potentially move level on 23 points with fourth-placed Casa Pia with all three points this weekend.

Maritimo, on the other hand, continued their surge from the relegation zone as they held firm to pick up a point against Famalicao when the sides squared off last Sunday.

In an end-to-end affair at the Estadio do Maritimo, the home side turned in an impressive defensive display to repel Joao Pedro Sousa's men for most of the game and force a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Joao Henriques's men ended their 14-game winless run with a 1-0 victory over Pacos de Ferreira on October 28 courtesy of a 28th-minute strike from Atletico Morelia loanee Jesus Ramirez.

After an abysmal start to the season, where they lost each of their opening eight league matches, Maritimo have picked up three draws and one win from their subsequent four outings to collect six points from a possible 36.

O Maior das Ilhas's recent resurgence has seen them rise from the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings, leapfrogging Pacos de Ferreira and moving into 17th place, three points off Gil Vicente just outside the automatic relegation places.

While Maritimo will be looking to secure consecutive away wins for the first time since March, Sunday's game pits them against an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in their last eight attempts, losing six and claiming two draws since a 3-2 victory in February 2018.

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

D

D

W

W

W

L

Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

L

W

Maritimo Primeira Liga form:

L

L

D

D

W

D

Team News

Vitoria de Guimaraes remain without the Portuguese duo of defender Jorge Fernandes and 21-year-old midfielder Tomas Handel, who are both recuperating from injuries.

Fellow countryman Miguel Maga came off injured 23 minutes into the game against Portimonense on August 21 and the 19-year-old is out of contention for this weekend's matchup.

Off the back of a game-winning cameo against Vizela in the Taca de Portugal, Safira could be rewarded with a starting role on Sunday, potentially teaming up with Nelson Luz, who has three goals in his last four matches, and Anderson Silva.

As far as Maritimo are concerned, Columbia international Moises Mosquera is ruled out of the trip to Dom Afonso Henriques after picking up an injury against Casa Pia back in October.

While Portuguese goalkeeper Joao Teixeira continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines, Fabio China is set to sit out his fifth consecutive game after coming off injured against Boavista on October 9.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Amaro, Bamba, Villanueva; Ze Carlos, Silva, Andre, Ogawa; Johnston, Silva, Luz

Maritimo possible starting lineup:

Trmal; Junior, Costa, Andrade; Winck, Afonso, Mendes, Brito; Xadas, Ramirez, Vidigal

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-0 Maritimo

While Maritimo will be looking to continue in their new-form form, they face a Vitoria de Guimaraes side whose home ground has been a fortress over the past few months. We predict Moreno's side will extend their dominance over the visitors and claim all three points on Sunday.

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