Preview: Vitoria de Guimaraes vs. Santa Clara - prediction

The sides in sixth and seventh place of the Primeira Liga table go head to head on Saturday, as Vitoria de Guimaraes welcome Santa Clara to the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques.

The hosts will be looking to end a run of five consecutive league defeats, while a 5-1 victory last time out has lifted Santa Clara to seventh spot, level on points with Saturday's opponents.

Match preview

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Vitoria de Guimaraes come into this game on the back of five consecutive defeats in the Portuguese top flight.

Last time out, Os Vimaranenses suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Portimonense, as Lucas Possignolo, Dener Clemente and Beto all got on the scoresheet in a dominant win for the hosts.

That stretched their losing run to five games, a run which has seen them fall well behind the Primeira Liga's top five.

As a result of their poor run, manager Joao Henriques was dismissed, and the side will now begin life without him at the helm.

They will look to reverse their fortunes on Saturday, and put some distance between themselves and the sides below them, as they welcome Santa Clara who sit level on points with them.

Daniel Ramos 's side recorded a dominant victory last time out, as they hosted basement side Nacional.

Goals from Mikel Villanueva, Carlos, Ukra and a Rui Costa brace fired Os Acoreanos to an eye-catching 5-1 victory on home turf.

Before that, Ramos's men looked set to see out a commendable 1-1 draw with second-placed Porto to continue their impressive run, until Antonio Martinez netted a winner for the defending champions in the 95th minute of the game.

Despite that disappointing late defeat, Santa Clara have enjoyed a rise up the Portuguese top flight recently, now sitting level on points with Saturday's opponents.

As a result, Ramos will be keen to record an important victory away from home, as that would see them leapfrog the Guimaraes outfit and break into the top six.

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

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L

L

L

L

L

Santa Clara Primeira Liga form:

W

L

W

D

L

W

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Team News

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Vitoria de Guimaraes welcomed midfielder Pepelu back to action last time out following his suspension.

They opted for a different shape for that game against Portimonense, changing to a back three and a front three.

The line will be led by Oscar Estupinan, who has shown some clinical form this campaign, netting eight goals in 15 league games.

The other attacking options have been regularly rotated, with the likes of Ruben Lameiras, Marcus Edwards, Ricardo Quaresma and Diogo Rochinha all pushing for starting spots.

Rui Costa will lead the Santa Clara line with confidence, having netted a brace in the dominant 5-1 victory last time out.

He could be supported by Carlos and Allano, although Crysan will be pushing for a return to the forward line after a spell on the bench.

Their only absentee should be midfielder Julio Romao, who remains out with a knee injury.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Fernando, Amaro, Mumin; Sacko, Pepelu, Andre, Mensah; Edwards, Estupinan, Rochinha

Santa Clara possible starting lineup:

Marco; Ramos, Cardoso, Villanueva, Mansur; Morita, Lincoln, Carvalho; Carlos, Costa, Crysan

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-3 Santa Clara

The two sides come into this game in opposite runs of form, and we see Santa Clara sealing another victory following their dominant win last time out.

Despite Vitoria's quality, they have struggled to click in recent weeks, and look to be limping towards a poor end to the campaign.

Top tip

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