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

The hosts are currently in fifth place in the league standings, with 26 points after 14 matches, while the visitors are down in 16th spot with 12 points to their names over the same period.

Match preview

Vitoria Guimaraes have made another impressive start in the Primera Liga this season and are firmly in contention to challenge for one of the coveted European spots, which has now been reduced to the top four teams only.

Os Vimaranenses played out a 1-1 draw away to Boavista last weekend, which extended their recent record to four matches unbeaten in all competitions following three consecutive wins.

During that time, Moreno's side also booked their place in the Round of 16 in the Taca de Portugal, beating Vilaverdense 4-1 at home in the fourth round of competition.

However, arguably, their best result of the season came a couple of weeks ago, when they overcame Sporting Lisbon 3-2, handing the current league leaders just their second defeat of the season.

That result marked the hosts' fifth home win in seven matches this season, while they also found the net on two or more occasions in each of those victories and are yet to be shut out on their home patch.

Meanwhile, Rio Ave recorded the joint-most drawn matches in the 2022-23 league season, and they are at it again this term, already with six in 14 games.

The most recent of those came last week against Vizela and was their fourth in succession after sharing the spoils with Gil Vicente, Estrela and Arouca since returning from the November international break.

While they may have hoped for more from some of those fixtures, Luis Freire will certainly not be too critical of his players, considering his side had lost six during a winless run of eight matches between August and October.

However, the Rio Ave boss will be looking for improvement in his side's away form, as they are still in search of their first victory on the road this season, currently holding a record of three draws and three losses in six games.

That said, the visitors held this opponent to a 0-0 draw here last season, and considering Vitoria's recent record, Vilacondenses would likely welcome another point if they could get one in this match.

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

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L

L

W

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D

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

L

W

D

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D

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Team News

Mikel Villanueva is back to full fitness after a knock to his foot and could be in line to make the starting 11 this week after featuring on the bench against Boavista last weekend.

However, the hosts will be without the services of Bruno Gaspar and Telmo Arcanjo, who are injured and expected to remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.

Rio Ave enter this match without any significant injury worries, and given their recent performances, it would not be surprising if Freire sticks with the same lineup.

In defence, Josue Sa, Aderllan Santos, and Miguel Nobrega have shown solid performances in recent weeks, and they are expected to comprise the backline in front of goalkeeper Jhonatan.

Upfront, Emmanuel Boateng and Andre Pereira are probable choices to spearhead the attack, while Joca and Costinha are likely to offer support from the midfield.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Fernandes, Borevkovic, Ribeiro; Maga, T Silva, Handel, Butzke, Mangas; J Silva, Da Luz

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Jhonatan; Sa, Santos, Nobrega; Costinha, Guga, Oudrhiri, Ronaldo; Boateng, Pereira, Joca

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 3-1 Rio Ave

Vitoria Guimaraes have already shown this season that they are able to compete with the best on their day, as they did when they beat Sporting at this venue a couple of weeks ago. While Rio Ave have been difficult to beat lately, we feel that they will struggle to get anything from this one.

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