Primeira Liga Preview: Vitoria de Guimaraes vs Boavista
As the Primeira Liga heats up, Vitoria de Guimaraes welcomes Boavista to the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques this Sunday. Fresh off a resounding victory in their Conference League opener, Vitoria will be looking to maintain their momentum against a Boavista side struggling to find their form. With both teams having different trajectories this season, this clash promises to be an intriguing encounter.
Recent Form
Vitoria de Guimaraes
Vitoria de Guimaraes kicked off their 2024-25 Conference League campaign in style, securing a 3-1 victory over Slovenia’s Celje. The match showcased their attacking prowess, with Samu, Gustavo Silva, and Tiago Silva all finding the net. This victory not only boosts their confidence but also adds to their impressive home record, where they have won six of their seven matches across all competitions this season.
In the Primeira Liga, Vitoria has had a solid start, accumulating 13 points from their first seven games. Currently sitting in seventh place, they are just three points shy of third-placed Benfica. Their home form has been particularly strong, with only a single defeat against Porto marring an otherwise stellar record.
Boavista
In stark contrast, Boavista has struggled to find their footing this season. Their recent 1-0 defeat to Santa Clara marked their sixth consecutive match without a win, with four losses and two draws since their opening victory against Casa Pia. Currently languishing in 16th place with just five points, Boavista is desperate for a turnaround, especially considering their dismal record at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques, where they have not won in their last ten visits.
Team News
Vitoria de Guimaraes
Vitoria de Guimaraes will be without defender Jorge Fernandes, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since late August. However, following their impressive performance against Celje, manager Rui Borges is likely to field a similar starting XI. The attacking trio of Gustavo Silva, Nelson Oliveira, and Kaio Cesar is expected to lead the charge, while the defensive unit will comprise Alberto Baio, Toni Borevkovic, Tomas Ribeiro, and Joao Mendes.
Possible Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Varela
- Defenders: Baio, Borevkovic, Ribeiro, Mendes
- Midfielders: Silva, Händel, Mendes
- Forwards: Cesar, Oliveira, Santos
Boavista
Boavista will be missing key players, including Morales Pires and first-choice goalkeeper Joao Goncalves, both out due to knee injuries. Additionally, Uruguayan defender Rodrigo Abascal is also unavailable due to a muscle issue. Reisinho’s participation is uncertain after he sustained a shoulder injury in the last match. Coach Cristiano Bacci will need to find a way to galvanize his squad to end their winless streak.
Possible Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper: Cesar
- Defenders: Gomes, Dabo, Onyemaechi, Ferreira
- Midfielders: Silva, Camara, Perez
- Forwards: Miguel, Bozenik, Agra
Match Prediction
Given Vitoria de Guimaraes’ current form and home advantage, they are favored to secure a victory against a struggling Boavista side. The hosts will be eager to capitalize on their opponents’ woes and continue their push up the league table.
Final Prediction: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-0 Boavista
With their attacking flair and solid home record, Vitoria de Guimaraes is poised to take all three points in this encounter. Boavista will need to dig deep to turn their fortunes around, but facing a confident Guimaraes side will be a tough challenge.
For more detailed analysis and predictions, be sure to check out Sports Mole’s coverage of the Primeira Liga.