Vitoria de Guimaraes play host to Maritimo on Sunday afternoon knowing that victory will move the club into fifth place in the Primeira Liga standings.

While the visitors have recently made headway up the table, they sit just five points above the relegation zone after two defeats in three games.

Match preview

There have been times this season when Guimaraes have been more concerned with ensuring that they do not become embroiled in a hotly-contested relegation battle in Portugal's top flight.

However, recording six wins from nine matches since the start of November has changed expectations at Estadio D. Afonso Henriques, giving hope to an unlikely challenge for the top three.

Joao Henriques will stress that his team should take things one game at a time, but sitting just seven points adrift of Benfica with a game in hand represents success for this side at this stage of the season.

Overtaking fifth-placed Pacos De Ferreira will be Guimaraes' first target, and their recent successes over Nacional and Famalicao will only strengthen the belief that Os Vimaranenses can continue to make significant headway up the table.

With Oscar Estupinan and Andre Andre scoring almost half of the club's 19 goals this season, Henriques will be calling on other members of the squad to step up as they reach the midway point of the campaign.

Maritimo had been going along nicely at the turn of the year, putting together a return of five wins from seven games in all competitions.

However, they have now lost three of their last five fixtures, including a 3-1 reverse at home to Estoril in the Taca De Portugal in midweek.

Maritimo held a 1-0 lead heading into the final minute, but conceding a last-gasp equaliser acted as the catalyst for a demoralising capitulation against the second-tier club.

With leaders Sporting Lisbon to follow next week, Milton Mendes needs to find a way to get his team back on track, aware that another defeat could see the club drop a number of places down the table.

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form: WWLDWW
Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions): DWLDWW

Maritimo Primeira Liga form: WWDLWL
Maritimo form (all competitions): DLWWLL

Team News

Having had a week to prepare for this contest, Henrqiues could opt against making any changes to his Guimaraes XI.

Marcus Edwards and Ruben Lameiras are most likely to come into the team if Henriques introduces fresh legs to his attack.

Maritimo will have to make do without Claudio Winck and Edgar Costa after their red cards against Estoril.

Fabio China or Marcelo Hermes could deputise for Winck at right wing-back if Mendes persists with playing with three centre-backs.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Sacko, Fernandes, Mumin, Mensah; Andre, Pepulu, Almeida; Quaresma, Estupinan, Rochinha

Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Abedzadeh; Junior, Africo, Andrade; China, Bambock, Pelagio, Hermes; Guitane; Joel, Milson

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-1 Maritimo

Having suffered a surprise defeat to Estoril in the Taca de Portugal, we expect Maritimo to produce a positive response at the weekend. However, Guimaraes are playing with confidence right now, something which could prove pivotal when it comes to pushing for victory in the closing stages.

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