Santa Claravs.Gil Vicente

Os Acorianos head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last six home games against Bruno Pinheiro's men since September 2015 and will be looking to extend this dominant run.

Match preview

Santa Clara were made to work their socks off in the third round of the Taca de Portugal as they picked up a 1-0 victory over Campeonato de Portugal outfit Gondomar last Saturday.

Gondomar turned in a defensive show of class at the Estadio de Sao Miguel to frustrate the home side for most of the game before Brazilian striker Gabriel Silva broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute to force a share of the spoils.

Santa Clara will look to build on last weekend's result as they now turn their focus to the Primeira Liga, where they saw their run of two consecutive wins come to an end just before the international break courtesy of a 1-0 defeat against Moreirense.

Despite their loss to Moreirense, head coach Vasco Matos can take pride in his side's performance on their return to the big leagues, having clinched top spot in the Segunda Liga last season to gain promotion to the top flight.

Santa Clara have lost three and picked up five wins from their eight Primeira Liga matches this term to collect 15 points and sit fourth in the table, only behind the 'big three' of Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Benfica.

With their cup victory, Os Acorianos have now picked up four straight home victories, including league wins over AVS, Estrela Amadora and Boavista, and have won seven of their last eight matches on home turf since early April.

Like this weekend's hosts, Gil Vicente kicked off their Taca de Portugal campaign on a high as they picked up a 2-0 victory over Belenenses at the weekend to book their spot in the fourth round.

Following a goalless first half at the Estadio do Restelo, Tidjane Toure broke the deadlock two minutes shy of the hour mark to put the visitors in front before Jorge Aguirre doubled their lead with a 65th-minute strike.

This followed a 3-0 victory over Estrela Amadora in their final outing before the international break, when Felix Correia, Kanya Fujimoto and Aguirre all found the back of the end to bring their five-game winless run in the Primeira Liga come to an end.

Gil Vicente have picked up two wins and four draws from their eight league to collect 10 points from a possible 24 to sit ninth in the standings but could move level on points with seventh-placed Famalicao with a win this weekend.

However, Pinheiro's men now journey to the Estadio de Sao Miguel, where they have failed to win any of their last six visits, losing five and claiming one draw since picking up a 2-0 victory in September 2015.

While Gil Vicente will be looking to end this dry spell, results away from home offer little optimism as the Gilistas are without a win in their most recent six Primeira Liga away games, losing three and claiming three draws since a 1-0 victory at Moreirense on April 20.

Santa Clara Primeira Liga form:

W

W

L

W

W

L

Santa Clara form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

L

W

Gil Vicente Primeira Liga form:

D

D

D

D

L

W

Gil Vicente form (all competitions):

D

D

D

L

W

W

Team News

Alisson Safira has missed each of Santa Clara's last two matches through a muscle problem and the Brazilian forward, who started the first seven league games, is a major doubt for this weekend's matchup.

He is joined on Os Acorianos' injury table by experienced defender Pedro Pacheco, who has been out of action since coming off with a severe knee injury back in May.

As for Gil Vicente, Pinheiro will be unable to call upon the services of 23-year-old midfielder Facundo Caseres, who has been out of action since sustaining a meniscus injury back in April.

South African international Sphephelo Sithole has missed each of the last five games since coming off injured while on international duty versus South Sudan in September and the 25-year-old is also out of contention for this weekend's clash.

Santa Clara possible starting lineup:

Batista; Venancio, Rocha, Lima; Calila, Ferreira, Firmino, Nunes; Lopes, Silva, Pereira

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Andrew; Ze Carlos, Mananga, Fernandes, Cruz; Fujimoto, Garcia, Castillo; Mboula, Caue, Correia

We say: Santa Clara 2-1 Gil Vicente

While Santa Clara have kicked off the campaign on a strong note, it has been a topsy-turvy start to the season for Gil Vicente will be looking to continue from where they left off in the cup and build a fine run of form.

However, Santa Clara have been rock-solid on home turf, and considering the Gilistas' form on their travels is currently nothing to write home about, we are backing them to come away with the desired result.

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