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NederlandBelenenses host Vitoria de Guimaraes in Primeira Liga action on Monday evening, with the visitors looking to continue their unbeaten away record in the league.
They will also be hoping to extend their unbeaten league run to six matches in this game, while the home side will be looking to gain some crucial distance from the relegation zone.
Match preview
© Reuters
Monday's hosts will be hoping to break a run which has seen them pick up just five points in their last eight league outings.
That run has seen them slip down to 12th place in the Primeira Liga, with a tally of 16 points from 17 games.
Despite their seemingly secure league position, Os Azuis do Restelo currently sit just two points above the relegation zone, given how tight the bottom half of the division is this season.
Their position in the battle for survival is largely due to a disappointing attacking record so far this season, with their eight league goals fewer than any other side in the division.
However, Belenenses have shown themselves to be a strong defensive outfit, with only two sides in the league conceding fewer than the 14 they have shipped, Vitoria being one of those teams.
That was reflected in their most recent result, a commendable 0-0 draw with second-placed Porto, when despite the Dragoes dominating the affair, Belenenses held out against the defending champions, thanks to a resilient defensive performance.
They will be hoping to carry that defensive solidity into this game, as they face a very tough test against a side in a strong run of form.
Vitoria will be hoping to continue their run, which has seen them cement themselves in the top six of the Primeira Liga.
In the last five matches, Joao Henriques's side have picked up 11 points, winning three games and drawing the other two.
They secured wins over Maritimo, Nacional and Famalicao, while they most recently saw out a commendable draw with Portuguese giants Benfica.
That has seen the side from Guimaraes move to within six points of the league's top three, with a game in hand on all the sides above them.
It is their strong defence that has seen Vitoria remain in the top six, with only Sporting Lisbon conceding fewer than their 13.
That will be encouraging for Henriques, especially given that they are taking on the league's worst attack, and he will be confident that his side can secure another clean sheet in this encounter.
Belenenses Primeira Liga form: DLLWLD
Belenenses form (all competitions): WLWLLD
Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form: LDWWWD
Team News
The hosts remain without several key players carrying long-term injuries, with defenders Eduardo Kau, Chima Akas and Nilton Varela all sidelined for the majority of the season.
However, they have no new concerns to deal with coming into this game, with Petit expected to name a similar side to the team that drew 0-0 with Porto.
The away side picked up Ruben Lameiras from Famalicao in a January deal, with the attacker having four goals and an assist for his old club in the league this season.
Lameiras will be joined in attack by Oscar Estupinan, who has five goals and an assist in six games since his introduction to the side, and the Colombian will be hoping to continue his prolific run of scoring in this game.
Belenenses possible starting lineup:
Kritsyuk; Silva, Henrique, Ribeiro; Esgaio, Phete, Taira, Lima; Cardoso, Varela, Sousa
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Trmal; Sacko, Fernandes, Mumin, Mensah; Andre, Almeida, Luis; Lameiras, Estupinan, Quaresma
We say: Belenenses 0-2 Vitoria de Guimaraes
We can see the visitors extending their good run of form with another win here, thanks to their strong defence and improving attacking quality.
The sixth-placed side should shut out Belenenses' struggling attack, while the attack of Lameiras, Estupinan and Ricardo Quaresma should find a way through a decent defence, sealing the win for their side.
