The Primeira Liga returns with a fresh set of fixtures this weekend, as Gil Vicente welcome Vizela to the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos Stadium on Sunday.

The two sides, who are without a win in their most recent two outings, are separated by two points and six places in the league standings and will be looking to end their dry spells.

Match preview

Gil Vicente failed to return to winning ways last time out, when they were beaten 1-0 by a struggling Santa Clara side.

In a game where both sides finished with 10 men, Rui Costa's 12th-minute strike was all that separated the teams, and it was enough to end Os Acoreanos' winless start to the season.

Prior to that, Gil Vicente saw their run of three straight wins come to an end courtesy of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Benfica three weeks ago.

With six points from the opening four games, Ricardo Soares's men are presently seventh in the Primeira Liga table, and could move into the Europa Conference League qualification places with a win.

Meanwhile, Vizela's inconsistent run of results continued two Saturdays ago, when they played out a 1-1 draw with Boavista.

The game sparked to life in the 51st minute, when Gustavo Sauer broke the deadlock to put Os Axadrezados in front, but Ivory Coast defender Koffi Kouao struck 23 minutes later to force a share of the spoils.

Vizela are now winless in four of their five games in all competitions this term, picking up one draw and losing three, including a 2-1 defeat against Estrela Amadora back in July that condemned them to a first-round exit from the Taca da Liga qualifiers.

That has been down to their struggles at both ends of the pitch, as the Braga-based outfit have scored just three goals in that time, while letting in 12.

While Alvaro Pacheco's men will be looking to put an end to this poor run, they go against a side who they have failed to defeat in each of their last four attempts since 2016, losing three and picking up one draw.

Team News

Soares will be unable to call upon the services of French midfielder Antoine Leautey, who picked up an injury in July's Taca da Liga qualifying game against Tondela.

Another name on the Gilistas' injury list is 26-year-old midfielder Joao Afonso, who sustained a knee injury against Moreirense back in April.

Veteran defender Ruben Fernandes will also sit out the game after picking up a straight red in the game against Santa Clara last time out, and in his absence, Henrique Gomes could slot into the heart of the back four.

Emmanuel Hackman impressed on his first start of the season last time out, and the Ghanaian full-back could be rewarded with another starting appearance.

Vizela, on the other hand, will take to the pitch without 24-year-old defender Mohamed Aidara who has been out of action since picking up an injury against Estrela in the Taca da Liga qualifying game back in July.

After trudging off the pitch with a 24th-minute injury against Vitoria de Guimaraes, 32-year-old forward Cassiano will miss the game as he continues his return to full fitness.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Kritsyuk; Talocha, Gomes, Cunha, Carlos; Pedrinho, Carvalho; Lino, Bueno, Murillo; Navarro

Vizela possible starting lineup:
Charles; Kouao, Kiki, Fernandes, Afonso; Paulo, Claudemir; Samu, Kiko, Moreira; Schettine

We say: Gil Vicente 2-0 Vizela

After opening the season with two consecutive wins, Gil Vicente appear to have fallen off the pace in recent weeks.

They take on an inexperienced Vizela side who are struggling to find their footing in the top flight, having failed to get going on the road so far, losing their two outings and conceding seven goals, and we are tipping the hosts to take advantage of that and claim all three points.

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