Preview: Gil Vicente vs. Maritimo - prediction, team news, lineups

Seeking to pick up their fourth win in five games on the road, Maritimo take a trip to the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos to face Gil Vicente in round 27 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.

The Gilistas, meanwhile, are unbeaten in 11 games on the trot and will be looking to complete a league double over the visitors having picked up a 2-1 victory in October's reverse fixture.

Match preview

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High-flying Gil Vicente continue to make their mark in the Primeira Liga this season as they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Braga last Sunday.

It was late drama at the Estadio Braga Municipal as 26-year-old defender Henrique Gomes came off the bench in the 88th minute to grab the winner barely one minute later.

Ricardo Soares's men head into the weekend unbeaten 11 games on the spin, claiming seven wins and four draws since a 3-0 home loss against defending champions Sporting Lisbon on December 18.

While they have been decent in front of goal, Gil Vincente's fine run has been owing to their defensive sturdiness as they have kept six clean sheets and just seven goals in those 11 outings.

With 45 points from 26 games, the Gilistas are currently fifth in the Primeira Liga standings, nine points above Vitoria de Guimaraes just outside the Conference League qualification spot and just one off fourth-placed Braga.

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Maritimo, on the other hand, were denied a second consecutive victory last time out when they fell to a 1-0 home loss at the hands of Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Following an uneventful first half at the Estadio do Maritimo, substitute Nicolas Janvier came up clutch for the visitors as he scored the only goal of the game with eight minutes remaining on the clock.

Prior to that, Vasco Seabra's side claimed a 1-0 win at Moreirense on March 6, when Matheus Costa netted in the 30th minute to snap their two-game winless run.

Maritimo have now won eight, drawn eight and lost 10 of their 26 games in the Primeira Liga this season to collect 32 points and occupy eighth place in the standings.

However, O Maior das Ilhas will feel confident in their chances of returning to winning ways on Sunday given their recent form on the road as they have won four of their last five away games

Team News

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Gil Vicente will take to the pitch without the services of Murilo de Souza after the Brazilian forward picked up an Achilles tendon injury in January's game against Boavista.

Having missed six straight games through injury, Ziga Frelih made his return to action against Braga last weekend and the 24-year-old to start between the sticks once again.

Meanwhile, Maritimo head into Sunday's game with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Seabra the luxury of a full-strength squad at his disposal.

Despite their defeat against Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out, the Portuguese manager should name a similar side, meaning we could see a defensive quartet of Claudio Winck, Matheus Costa, Zainadine Junior and Vitor Costa shielding Paulo Victor in goal.

Ali Alipour will push for a starting role in attack, potentially coming in for Cameroonian international Joel Tagueu, who struggled to make his mark against Os Vimaranenses.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Frelih; Carlos, Cunha, Fernandes, Talocha; Carvalho, Pedrinho; Fujimoto, Leautey, Lino; Navarro

Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Victor; Winck, M Costa, Junior, V Costa; Rossi, Beltrame; Guitane, Xadas, Vidigal; Alipour

We say: Gil Vicente 2-1 Maritimo

Gil Vicente are currently one of the most in-form sides in the division, claiming seven wins and four draws in their last 11 games. However, they face the tricky test of going up against a Maritimo side who have been solid away from home in recent weeks, claiming 12 points from the last 15 available. While we expect the visitors to put up a fight, we predict the Gilistas will keep their fine run going and come out victorious.

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