Preview: Vizela vs. Tondela - prediction, team news, lineups

Fresh off the back of a 3-0 opening-day defeat against reigning champions Sporting Lisbon, Vizela host Tondela at the Estadio do FC Vizela on Saturday.

The visitors will look to pick up where they left off after opening their league campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory over Santa Clara last time out.

Match preview

© Reuters

Newly-promoted Vizela were given a baptism of fire last Friday as they were beaten 3-0 by Sporting Lisbon in their opening Primeira Liga game.

After an uneventful first half, last season's Golden Boot winner Pedro Goncalves came up trumps for the Lions, scoring a brace before Paulinho completed the rout in the 74th minute.

​This was a second consecutive competitive defeat for Alvaro Pacheco's men, who were dumped out of the Taca da Liga courtesy of a 2-1 loss to second-tier side Estrela da Amadora three Saturdays ago.

​Vizela, who are making their first-ever appearance at the zenith of Portuguese football in their 36-year existence, will aim to end their run of eight games without a win after picking up one draw and losing five of their six pre-season friendly games.

​However, they face the test of taking on a spirited Tondela side who currently lead the way after opening their campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Santa Clara.

​In an action-packed contest, Daniel dos Anjos scored twice before Joao Pedro put the icing on the cake with an 84th-minute penalty to hand Tondela their first opening-day victory since returning to the top flight in 2015.

​Like their opponents, this followed an early exit from the Portuguese Cup after they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Gil Vicente on July 24.

​In that encounter, Brazilian midfielder Vitor Carvalho scored an 87th-minute winner to dash the hearts of the CDT Auriverde faithful and condemn them to a first-round exit.

Tondela picked up 10 wins in 34 league matches last season, but after showing promise in their opening game, head coach Pako Ayestaran will feel confident ahead of their first-ever meeting with Saturday's hosts.

Team News

© Reuters

Igor Juliao has been unable to feature for the hosts due to injury since moving from Brazilian side Fluminense and is expected to miss the game.

Major doubts are also cast over the fitness of Mohamed Aidara, who missed the game against Sporting Lisbon through injury.

Tondela will be without the services of newly-signed defender Manu Hernando, who has been sidelined with a knee problem since January.

Fellow newcomer Iker Undabarrena will also sit out the game as he is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.

Brought into the club to replace the departed Mario Gonzalez who hit 14 goals while on loan last season, Daniel dos Anjos announced his arrival in grand style as he scored twice to cap off a superb debut performance.

Vizela possible starting lineup:
Charles; Ofori, Aidara, Wilson, Kiki; Moreira, Samu, Paulo, Mendez, Bondoso; Cassiano

Tondela possible starting lineup:
Trigueira; Bebeto, Goncalves, Quaresma, Khacef; Dantas, Pedro; Murillo, Agra, Barbosa, Anjos

We say: Vizela 1-2 Tondela

Tondela will look to maintain their fine start to the league campaign following last week's victory over Os Acoreanos. We expect Vizela to put up a valiant fight, having finished with the best home record in the Segunda Liga last season. However, looking at the gulf in quality in the two squads, we expect Tondela to claim all three points.