Two sides desperate to turn their fortunes around will clash at Estadio do Bessa, where bottom-placed Boavista host Gil Vicente in round 27 of the Primeira Liga.
The hosts sit at the foot of the table with just one win in their last 16 outings, while the visitors hover just above the drop zone after an eight-game winless run.
Match preview
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With only eight games remaining, Boavista’s survival hopes are fading fast, as their 15-point tally leaves them eight adrift of safety.
The Chequered Ones have endured a turbulent campaign, spending most of it entrenched in the relegation battle, and their 1-0 defeat to Moreirense last time out only deepened their struggles.
That loss marked back-to-back defeats for Boavista, who had briefly ended a 13-match winless run — one that included eight consecutive losses — by beating Santa Clara.
Os Axadrezados’s struggles stem from their inefficiencies at both ends, having failed to find the net in 15 of their 26 league matches while holding the worst attacking record in the league with just 16 goals, alongside the second-worst defensive record, conceding 43.
As a result, they have secured just three league wins this season, each arriving amidst extended winless spells, but an intriguing pattern has emerged — two of those victories have come against the same opponent.
Prior to their most recent triumph, Lito Vidigal‘s side had beaten Santa Clara in the league opener before edging Tuesday’s visitors 2-1 in the reverse fixture to snap an eight-game barren spell, and they will now look to complete another double as they fight to revive their survival hopes.
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Gil Vicente have only managed to stay above the relegation zone thanks to an impressive six-game unbeaten run (W3 D3) from early December to mid-January — the last result in that stretch being a stunning 3-1 win over Porto.
However, since that victory, the Roosters have picked up just one point from eight top-flight outings, including a 3-0 defeat to Benfica last Friday.
Gil Vicente’s struggles in the final third were on full display once again, as they failed to find the back of the net for the sixth time in their last eight league games and the seventh in nine across all competitions.
As a result, Cesar Peixoto‘s men sit 14th on 23 points, only above the relegation play-off spot by virtue of a superior goal difference, and they will be aiming to end their winless run and steer clear of danger on Tuesday.
Team News
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Robert Bozenik could reclaim his place in attack after not making the starting lineup for a second consecutive game last time out, meaning Abdoulay Diaby, who he replaced, could be relegated to the bench.
Other changes in that encounter saw winger Moussa Kone and midfielder Miguel Reisinho replace Gboly Ariyibi and Ilija Vukotic, and both could be given opportunities in the lineup this time.
Meanwhile, Salvador Agra will play no part here due to suspension following his dismissal against Moreirense, and Ibrahima is expected to assume the right-back position.
Luis Pires, Joao Goncalves, Augusto Dabo, Marco Ribeiro and Tomas Silva are expected absentees for this encounter due to injury.
Santi Garcia will not be available for Gil Vicente due to suspension after receiving his 10th booking of the campaign last time out.
Meanwhile, Sphephelo Sithole remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a long-term ligament injury.
Boavista possible starting lineup:
Vaclik; Abascal, Vitoria, Fogning; Kakay, Vukotic, Resinho, Ibrahima; Kone, Bozenik, Van Ginkel
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Cruz, Sa, Buantu, Cruz; Bamba, Teixeira; Toure, Correia, Eduardo; PabloPrediction:
We say: Boavista 1-1 Gil Vicente
With two sides struggling in the final third and likely to adopt cautious approaches in such a crucial battle, this has all the makings of a low-scoring encounter expected to end in a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
