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

Vitoria de Guimaraes will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in the Primeira Liga on Saturday, when they welcome Rio Ave to the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques.

Meanwhile, the visitors recorded their first win in six games last time out, and will be looking to pick up another three points on Saturday.

Match preview

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The home side come into this game without a loss in their last six matches, having won three and drawn three, collecting 12 points from a possible 18 in that time.

That run has seen Joao Henriques 's side cement themselves in the top six of the Primeira Liga, currently sitting six points ahead of seventh-placed Santa Clara with a game in hand on all the sides around them.

Their strong league position is largely down to Vitoria's solid defence, with only league leaders Sporting Lisbon conceding fewer than their 14 so far this season.

However, most recently, Henriques's side were held to a slightly disappointing 1-1 draw by strugglers Belenenses.

Matteo Cassierra put the 12th-placed side a goal ahead after 30 minutes, before Oscar Estupinan continued his prolific run for Vitoria, equalising before half time.

That result followed an impressive 0-0 draw with Benfica, when Os Vimaranenses defended resiliently to hold the 37-time Portuguese champions to a goalless draw.

Before that game, the side from Guimaraes went on a run of three consecutive wins, beating Nacional, Famalicao and Maritimo in quick succession, while only conceding one goal.

They will be looking to make it seven games without a loss in this match, however they take on a Rio Ave side who could have renewed confidence after picking up an important win last time out.

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The away side came from behind to beat Tondela 2-1 at home on Tuesday night in a mid-table clash.

Jhon Murillo put their opponents ahead in the first half, before Carlos Mane and Rafael Camacho netted second-half goals to seal Os Vilacondenses' first win in six games in all competitions.

Their previous run of form saw Miguel Cardoso 's side slip down the league table, however the win over Tondela did see them leapfrog CDT Auriverdes, moving back up to 10th spot.

More importantly for Cardoso, that win saw them move five points clear of the relegation zone, having previously sat just two points above 17th-placed Famalicao.

They can now afford to turn their attention to the places above them, as they look to move back up the table, starting with what would be an important win at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques.

However, the strong defensive record of Vitoria will be very worrying for Cardoso's side, especially given that their own attack has been weak so far this campaign, with only Belenenses netting fewer than their 13 goals in the Primeira Liga.

That is something that Rio Ave will be desperate to turn around, starting in this game, as they look to build on the two goals they scored in the previous win.

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form: DWWWDD

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form: WDLLDW

Rio Ave form (all competitions): LDLLDW

Team News

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The hosts remain without several players with injury, including midfielders Jacob Maddox and Mikel Agu, who continue their spells on the sidelines with long-term injuries.

They are joined by experienced right-back Silvio, who is also yet to feature since the turn of the year, having picked up a muscle injury in December.

However, Vitoria will be boosted by the return of midfielder Andre Andre, who served a suspension in the draw with Belenenses.

Joao Henriques added to his side in the January transfer window, bringing in attacker Ruben Lameiras, who picked up four goals and an assist for Famalicao at the beginning of the season.

He will be joined in attack by Oscar Estupinan, who has been prolific since his introduction to the side in December, netting six goals and registering an assist in seven appearances.

The away side are also faced with several injury worries, including forward Andre Pereira, who suffered a ligament rupture in January.

He is joined on the sidelines by midfielder Nikola Jambor, who also remains out through injury.

They will also be without important centre-back Toni Borevkovic, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the win over Tondela, ruling him out for this match.

In his absence, Nelson Monte could start in defence in this game, alongside Aderllan Santos.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Sacko, Fernandes, Mumin, Mensah; Almeida, Pepelu, Andre; Quaresma, Estupinan, Lameiras

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Kieszek; Pinto, Santos, Monte, Coentrao; Augusto, Pele, Guga; Geraldes, Gelson, Camacho

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-0 Rio Ave

Although the visitors could have renewed confidence thanks to an important win last time out, we see Vitoria outclassing their opponents here, using their potent front three to damage a Rio Ave defence which is missing a key player.

Meanwhile, one of the league's best defences comes up against one of its worst defences, and we can see those runs continuing with another clean sheet for the side from Guimaraes, helping them to a 10th league win of the season.

Top betting tip

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