Preview: Vitoria de Guimaraes vs. Belenenses - prediction, team news, lineups

Belenenses go in search of their first win of the season when they visit the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques to take on Vitoria de Guimaraes on Sunday.

The hosts, on the other hand, are 10th in the Primeira Liga table with five points from four games, and could move into the top half with a win.

Match preview

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Vitoria de Guimaraes made it three games without defeat when they held a rampant Braga side to a goalless draw at the Estadio Municipal de Braga last time out.

Czech Republic goalkeeper Matous Trmal put on a clinic between the sticks for Os Vimaranenses, as he made a plethora of saves to deny the hosts their second win on the trot.

That followed an emphatic 4-0 win over Vizela three weeks ago, when Andre Andre, Oscar Estupinan, Marcus Edwards and Falaye Sacko all scored in the second half to cap off a superb team performance.

Sunday's hosts are now unbeaten in seven of their last eight games in all competitions, picking up six wins and one draw while scoring 13 goals and conceding four.

Pepa will fancy his side's chances of keeping up their solid form as they welcome an opposing side who they are unbeaten against in six of the last seven meetings between the sides on home turf.

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Belenenses, meanwhile, picked up their first point of the new season courtesy of a 1-1 home draw against fellow strugglers Moreirense last time out.

In a game where Trova Boni received his marching orders, O Belem looked set for all three points after Nigerian defender Chima Akas put them ahead shortly before the half-hour mark, but substitute Andre Luis struck with four minutes remaining in the game to salvage a point for the visitors.

Prior to that, Belenenses suffered defeats against Porto, Maritimo and Sporting Lisbon, as they failed to pick up a point from their opening three league outings for the first time since 2013.

Petit's side have now failed to taste victory in any of their last nine games across all competitions, and this has largely been down to their underwhelming displays at the attacking end of the pitch, where they scored just four goals in that time.

Team News

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Vitoria remain without the services of first-choice goalkeeper Bruno Varela, who has missed the last seven games through a knee injury.

In his absence, Trmal has been in inspiring form for Os Vimaranenses, making nine saves and keeping three clean sheets from the opening four games and we expect the 22-year-old goalkeeper to stand behind an unchanged back four of Falaye Sacko, Toni Borevkovic, Abdul Mumin and Rafa Soares following their valiant display against Braga last time out.

Meanwhile, Belenenses will be unable to call upon the services of midfield duo Afonso Taira and Trova Boni, who continue to serve their suspensions after picking up straight reds against Sporting Lisbon and Moreirense respectively.

Sandro and Pedro Nuno will also sit out the tie, with the latter coming off injured just before half time last time out, while Mateo Cassierra is a major doubt after missing the last two outings.

Rafael Camacho could be handed his first starting appearance of the season after impressing off the bench for the injured Nuno against Joao Henriques's men.

Portuguese manager Petit will only be allowed to watch from the stands on Sunday after receiving a red card in the aforementioned game and in his absence, assistant coach Jose Pedro will take over the reins.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:
Trmal; Sacko, Mumin, Borevkovic, Soares; Almeida, Semedo, Andre; Rochinha, Estupinan, Quaresma

Belenenses possible starting lineup:
Felipe; Carraca, Ribeiro, Phete, Akas, Varela; Camacho, A Sousa, Coelho, C Sousa; Ndour

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 1-0 Belenenses

Both sides have had contrasting starts to the season, with Belenenses struggling to get going.

We anticipate Vitoria will come away with all three points, as they appear to have hit their stride this term and take on an out-of-sorts Belenenses side.