Preview: Maritimo vs. Vitoria de Guimaraes - prediction, team news, lineups

Vitoria de Guimaraes will look to cement their position in sixth spot in the Primeira Liga table on Sunday, when they travel to Madeira to take on Maritimo.

The hosts do not come into this game lacking motivation either, as they know that one win from their last two matches will see their survival confirmed.

Match preview

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Maritimo picked up a creditable point last time out, as they drew 1-1 away at fifth-placed Pacos de Ferreira.

Luiz Carlos opened the scoring for the hosts after 12 minutes, but Diederrick Joel Tagueu equalised before half time to take a share of the spoils for his side.

Before that, Julio Velazquez's side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Gil Vicente, as Samuel Lino netted the only goal of the game after 30 minutes.

Velazquez was brought into the club in March to replace the departing Milton Mendes, with Os Verde-Rubros sat at the foot of the table at the time.

He has triggered a huge improvement at the Estadio dos Barreiros though, as Maritimo have won five of the 10 games since his appointment, moving well clear of the relegation places as a result.

While their last two games have only produced one point, Sunday's hosts remain four points ahead of Boavista in the relegation playoff place and five points above the automatic drop zone, meaning a win would confirm the automatic safety that Velazquez was brought in to deliver.

They take on a Vitoria de Guimaraes side who go in search of a much-needed win for a different reason, as they look to cling onto sixth spot in the Portuguese top flight.

Bino's side come into this game on the back of a disappointing 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Famalicao.

They took an early lead through Bruno Duarte, but Bozhidar Kraev equalised in the 21st minute before Heriberto Tavares netted a late winner for the visitors to snatch all three points.

That followed a 2-2 draw away against 17th-placed Farense, as Os Vimaranenses only salvaged a point thanks to an added-time equaliser from Ricardo Quaresma, after a Pedro Henrique brace put the hosts 2-1 ahead following Diogo Rochinha's early opener.

That meant the Guimaraes outfit have now won just three of their last 17 league matches, while picking up a disappointing tally of 13 points in that time since the beginning of February.

Despite displaying the form of a side battling to avoid relegation, Bino's men have managed to cling onto sixth spot in the Primeira Liga, now sitting two points ahead of Santa Clara, Belenenses and Moreirense, with all three sides in pursuit of their position.

After a poor calendar year, they will be desperate to hold on for a top-six finish, with a win putting them firmly in pole position going into the final game of the domestic campaign.

Team News

Julio Velazquez should have a fairly full squad to choose from on Sunday, although he will remain without key forward Rodrigo Pinho through injury.

In his absence, Ali Alipour and Diederrick Joel Tagueu could lead the line, having registered a combined four goals and two assists in the last five Primeira Liga outings.

At the other end of the pitch, Velazquez should stick with the usual back four of Claudio Winck, Leo Andrade, Zainadine Junior and Fabio China.

Vitoria de Guimaraes will be without midfielder Andre Andre and winger Ricardo Quaresma, as the pair will serve suspensions for accumulating yellow cards.

Meanwhile, Joseph Amoah will remain out through injury while midfielder Jacob Maddox and defender Abdul Mumin are doubts.

In Quaresma and Andre's absence, Diogo Rochinha and Marcus Edwards could feature in the wide areas while Pepelu and Andre Almeida should partner up in midfield.

Maritimo possible starting lineup:
Abedzadeh; Winck, Andrade, Junior, China; Bambock, Guitane, Pelagio; Costa, Tagueu, Alipour

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Amaro, Fernandes, Suliman; Sacko, Pepelu, Almeida, Mensah; Edwards, Estupinan, Rochinha

We say: Maritimo 1-1 Vitoria de Guimaraes

As two sides in shaky runs of form go head-to-head, we do not see either team having the edge in this encounter, instead opting for a draw.

The hosts may have slightly taken their foot off the gas since they all but confirmed their survival, while Vitoria have struggled for consistency since January.