Gil Vicente are still in danger before travelling to Nacional for Saturday's gameweek 30 Primeira Liga match at Estadio da Madeira.
The visitors, three points above the relegation playoff spot and five ahead of second-bottom Farense, have lost nine of their last 11 top-flight games, and their 12th-placed hosts aim to inflict further misery on Cesar Peixoto's team.
Match preview
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Nacional avoided a third consecutive Primeira Liga loss at Boavista, preventing Alvinegros from looking nervously over their shoulders in the final weeks, as their round 29 win at Boavista propelled Tiago Margarido's team to 12th place with 32 points.
This leaves the promoted side nine points clear of AVS, who are in the relegation playoff spot, and 11 ahead of second-bottom Farense with five games remaining.
Unless there is a collapse in the final weeks and AVS suddenly start winning after not claiming any in the last five games, Nacionalistas should keep their top-flight status for another season.
Nevertheless, Margarido's side aim to finish the season strong, and a second set of consecutive league victories in 2025, following January's wins over Porto (2-0) and AVS (3-1), will set them up well as they head into the final four gameweeks.
Having secured 23 of their 32 points in front of their supporters, Nacional seek an eighth victory in Madeira to nearly ensure their spot in next season's competition.
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Their opponents on Saturday are not yet guaranteed top-flight safety despite sitting 14th in the Liga as they enter gameweek 30.
Peixoto's team have lost two matches in a row leading into Saturday's game, and they could face three or more losses for the third time this season after suffering four straight defeats between October and December and five from January to February.
The consequence of winning just two games out of 13 in 2025 leaves Galos second-bottom in the annual table with eight points, two more than Boavista, who are at the bottom of the overall league standings.
With Estrela Amadora level on 26 points, AVS three points behind and second-bottom Farense five adrift, Gil Vicente still have work to do to confirm their place in the division for 2025-26.
However, optimistic supporters will note that their side have avoided defeat in consecutive away games, including a 3-1 win at Boavista at the start of April, and Galos aim for consecutive away wins for the first time since February 2023, when they defeated Famalicao (1-0) and Porto (2-1).
Achieving this two years later would be just what they need, as it would take them one step closer to remaining in the league.
Team News
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Lucas Oliveira, Miguel Baeza, Ivanildo Fernandes and Dyego Sousa are out for Nacional due to injury.
Although Jose Gomes and Dudu Teodora have scored just three goals for Nacional, both have netted two match-winning goals, which is more than top scorer Daniel Penha, who has four goals in 2024-25.
Sandro Cruz is suspended for Gil Vicente, while Sphephelo Sithole is out with an injury.
Felix Correia, Kanya Fujimoto and Pablo Felipe have scored six, five and four goals for the away side this season, and all three could add to their tallies on Saturday.
While he is not guaranteed a start, Felipe's four goals have come in 2025, including a hat-trick in April's 3-1 victory over relegation-threatened Boavista, showcasing his match-deciding qualities.
Nacional possible starting lineup:
Franca; Garcia, Ulisses, Santos, Gomes; Labidi, Soumare, Esteves; Yamada, Tagueu, Bola
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Carlos, Fernandes, Mawesi, Kazu; Caseres, Garcia, Fujimoto; Correia, Aguirre, Bermejo
We say: Nacional 2-1 Gil Vicente
Despite suffering a 1-0 defeat last time out at home to relegation-threatened Estrela, Nacional, who had scored in six consecutive fixtures in Madeira, will feel confident in inflicting more misery on Gil Vicente.
Having already secured four wins in seven at their home ground, the promoted side should carve out a narrow victory over the struggling Galos.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
