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

Two teams with an outside chance of securing a European qualification spot for next season will lock horns on Friday when Vitoria de Guimaraes face Moreirense in the Primeira Liga.

The hosts have lost eight of their last 10 league matches, while the visitors have won just one of their last seven games in the top-flight.

Match preview

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Vitoria de Guimaraes's dreadful run of form continued as they lost 1-0 away at basement club Nacional on Monday.

The hosts took an early lead through Pedro Mendes and despite dominating the match with 68% possession, the Conquerors were unable to score an equaliser and rarely threatened Nacional's goal, managing just one shot on target in the entire game.

That result means Vitoria have won only two of their last 14 Primeira Liga matches, but there is still a slim chance of securing European qualification for next season as they are just seven points behind Pacos de Ferreira in fifth, who are also enduring a poor run of form, with five games remaining.

Vitoria drew 2-2 with Moreirense in January, but head coach Bino will be hoping that his side can go one better and secure all three points on Friday, to close in on a top-five position which they last claimed in 2018-19.

The poor form of both Vitoria and Pacos de Ferreira has given Moreirense an outside chance of claiming a Europa League spot, with nine points separating them from the Beavers in fifth.

A 1-1 draw at home to Portuguese giants Porto was a good result for the Green and Whites, considering they had lost the previous three matches against them by an aggregate score of 13-3.

However, the result could have been much better as they were leading until the 86th minute when Mehdi Taremi's penalty cancelled out Nahuel Ferraresi's first-half opener.

Vasco Seabra's side must win at least three of their final five Primeira Liga matches if they are to finish in the top five. Although their chances of achieving this are slim, they are still on course to match their highest ever top-flight finish of sixth place and would move into this position with a win on Friday.

Team News

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Vitoria midfielder Joseph Amoah remains sidelined with a muscle injury, however winger Ricardo Quaresma returned to the team when he came off the bench on Monday and is now in contention to start on Friday.

Falaye Sacko and Ruben Lameiras are expected to keep their places in the side as wing-backs, while central midfielder Mikel Agu is hoping to start ahead of Andre Andre.

Englishman Marcus Edwards is likely to start once again alongside Andre Almeida, with the two attacking midfielders set to play in behind striker Oscar Estupinan.

Moreirense are still without Pedro Nuno (knee), Sori Mane (muscle) and Pedro Amador (knee) through injury.

Walterson started at right wing-back in the draw against Porto but he could be replaced in the side by Anthony D'Alberto, while striker Andre Luis may be handed a place in the first XI at the expense of Rafael Martins.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Fernandes, Amaro, Silvio; Sacko, Pepelu, Andre, Lameiras; Edwards, Almeida; Estupinan

Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Pasinato; Ferraresi, Rosic, Ba; D'Alberto, Pacheco, Simao, Conte; Soares, Yan; Luis

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-1 Moreirense

Both Vitoria de Guimaraes and Moreirense have struggled for points in recent weeks, but a win on Friday could help turn their fortunes around heading down the home straight.

The last three meetings between the two teams have ended as score draws and with little to separate them, another score draw could be on the cards at the Estadio D. Afonso Henriques.