Preview: Vizela vs. Santa Clara - prediction, team news, lineups

Mario Silva's men, on the other hand, head into the weekend without a win in any of their last five outings across all competitions and will be looking to end this dry spell.

Match preview

Vizela scaled through to the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal by the skin of their teeth as they saw off Segunda Liga outfit Penafiel 2-1 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in extra time.

The Vizelenses now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga where they secured successive victories for the first time since January courtesy of a narrow 1-0 win over Casa Pia two Sundays ago.

This followed a similar 1-0 home victory against Portimonense on October 1, when Brazilian international Andersen struck in the 14th minute to bring their six-game winless run to an end.

With 11 points from nine games, Alvaro Pacheco's men are currently 12th in the Primeira Liga standings, but could potentially move into the top half of the table with all three points this weekend.

While Vizela will be looking to pick up a third league victory on the spin, next up is the stern test of taking on an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in their last six attempts, losing three and claiming three draws since November 2008.

Meanwhile, Santa Clara were sent packing from the Taca de Portugal as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Segunda Liga outfit Tondela when the sides squared off at the Estadio Joao Cardoso last Saturday.

After Allano failed to convert his fifth-minute penalty, Rafael Barbosa struck in the 38th minute to hand the hosts a first-half lead before Rúben Fonseca made sure of the victory with a 91st-minute goal.

The result was in keeping with Santa Clara's struggles in the Primeira Liga, where they are currently on a four-game winless run, claiming one point from a possible 12 since September's 2-1 victory over Maritimo.

Silva's side have now managed one win, two draws and lost six of their eight league matches so far to collect five points and sit 14th in the standings, four points above last-placed Maritimo.

While Os Acoreanos will be looking to arrest their slump and kick-start their surge up the table, they have struggled for results on the road this season, where they have lost each of their five matches across all competitions, scoring once and shipping seven goals in that time.

Vizela Primeira Liga form:

D

L

L

L

W

W

Santa Clara Primeira Liga form:

L

W

L

D

L

L

Team News

Vizela will have to cope without the services of Claudemir, who has missed the last two matches after coming off injured against Portimonense on October 1.

Bondoso was a star performer in the cup victory over Penafiel last time out and the Portuguese international should retain his role in attack, alongside Nuno Moreira and summer signing Alexander Schmidt.

Meanwhile, Santa Clara will have to cope without the services of Portuguese midfielder Costinha, who is yet to make an appearance this year after picking up an ACL injury last August.

He is joined on Os Acoreanos' injury table by the Portuguese duo of 24-year-old Diogo Calila and Paulo Henrique, who came off injured against Pacos de Ferreira on September 17.

Xavier Quintilla is also out of contention for this weekend's matchup as the Spanish international is set to sit out his sixth consecutive game after suffering an injury against Maritimo on September 4.

Vizela possible starting lineup:

Buntic; Silva, Fernandes, Anderson, Afonso; Mendez, Rosa, Samu; Bondoso, Schmidt, Moreira

Santa Clara possible starting lineup:

Pereira; Sagna, Gonzalez, Ferreira, Boateng; Bicalho, Carvalho, Fagundes; Silva, Tagawa, Ricardinho

We say: Vizela 2-1 Santa Clara

Vizela head into the weekend fresh off the back of securing a third straight win across all competitions and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling. While they have struggled for results against Santa Clara, we predict they will maintain their fine run of form and see off the visitors, who have failed to impose themselves this season.

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