Fresh off a disappointing Conference League round of 16 exit, Vitoria de Guimaraes shift focus back to the Primeira Liga as they welcome Estrela Amadora for a matchday 26 clash, aiming to find some respite.
The Conquerors were thoroughly outclassed in a 4-0 defeat against Real Betis on Thursday, bringing their European campaign to an end with a 6-2 aggregate loss.
Match preview
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Vitoria would not have been unreasonable to believe they had a shot at the quarter-finals, especially after securing a 2-2 draw in Spain, but any optimism was quickly shattered in the return leg as they conceded twice in the opening 20 minutes before shipping two more in the second half, bowing out in a humbling manner.
The defeat snapped their seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions and leaves Luis Freire‘s men with only a challenging Primeira Liga pathway to reclaim a European spot next season.
Vitoria sit sixth in the league with 38 points, trailing the final Conference League place by 12, despite securing back-to-back wins against Casa Pia and Boavista, where they staged a 2-1 comeback last weekend.
The Conquerors have now gone six top-flight matches without defeat, winning three and drawing three, an upturn in form compared to their previous seven, where they failed to win any and mustered just five points.
Their resurgence has been underpinned by defensive solidity, keeping clean sheets in four of those six unbeaten outings.
Os Conquistadores will be confident of maintaining their momentum in pursuit of an unlikely yet achievable European push, particularly as they face an opponent they have beaten twice in their previous three encounters, including a commanding 3-0 victory on home soil last season.
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Meanwhile, Estrela will look to avoid defeat against Vitoria in a Primeira Liga campaign for the first time, having salvaged a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture in October.
That task does not seem insurmountable, given they are unbeaten in four matches, having edged past bottom-placed Boavista before sharing the spoils in successive draws against Santa Clara, Moreirense and Gil Vicente.
Although not the most eye-catching run, Jose Faria will take encouragement from his team’s improvement, considering they had only managed two points in their previous six outings.
Estrela have amassed 23 points from five wins, eight draws and 12 defeats, placing them 15th, level on points with the relegation playoff spot but ahead on goal difference.
A victory here could provide much-needed breathing space, but with the joint-second fewest points collected on the road, overcoming a side that has suffered just one defeat at their own ground will be a significant challenge.
Team News
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Heverton Santos started at right-back in midweek, but Miguel Maga could reclaim his place after replacing him against Betis.
Telmo Arcanjo and Vando Felix could start out wide if Freire opts for changes, potentially pushing Umaro Embalo and Nuno Santos to the bench.
Jesus Ramirez may be preferred up front, giving Nelson Oliveira a rest following an intense run of fixtures.
Gustavo Silva remains the only absentee for Vitoria as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury that has sidelined him since mid-January.
Manuel Keliano impressed for Estrela last time out and should retain his spot in midfield, with Amine Oudrhiri and Leo Cordeiro unavailable, while Tiago Mamede remains sidelined.
Nilton Varela, the team’s most utilised player this season, is fit and expected to start at left wing-back, relegating Guilherme Montoia to the bench.
Jovane Cabral is an option to feature in attack after making an impact off the bench, likely replacing Fabio Ronaldo if he starts out wide, otherwise pushing Rodrigo Pinho to the bench.
Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Varela; Mendes, Villanueva, Borevkovic, Maga; Handel, Mendes, Silva; Felix, Michel, Arcanjo
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Costa; Lima, Ferro, Lopes; Varela, Moreira, Oudrhiri, Travassos; Ruiz, Pinho, Ronaldo
We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-0 Estrela Amadora
While both sides are unbeaten in recent outings, Vitoria are favoured to prevail, despite their mixed inconsistency on home soil, as they face an Estrela side that has struggled to pick up points on their travels.
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