After a win upon their return to the Primeira Liga in the opening game last week, Estoril Praia will go in search of a second straight league victory on Friday, when they play host to Vitoria de Guimaraes.

The hosts started with a 2-0 victory over fellow newly-promoted side Arouca, while their visitors suffered a disappointing one-goal defeat at the hands of Portimonense, and will be keen to bounce back in style.

Match preview

Following their relegation in 2018, Estoril Praia finally made a return to the top flight by winning the Portuguese second tier last season.

The Canarinhos moved to the summit of the division in October, and while they briefly slipped, Estoril would quickly reclaim top spot.

Despite a somewhat disappointing run of results at the end of the campaign, Bruno Pinheiro's side finished four points clear at the top of the division, earning promotion back to the Primeira Liga after several close calls.

They kicked off the season with a visit to fellow newly-promoted side Arouca, and they got off to the perfect start when Andre Franco opened the scoring inside the first five minutes.

Pinheiro's men showed impressive resilience to keep the hosts out, and the result was sealed when substitute winger Ryotaro Meshino doubled their lead in injury time.

They will hope for a second straight victory to start the season on Friday, although they face a tough test against a strong Vitoria de Guimaraes squad.

Os Vimaranenses' campaign last year certainly provided cause for concern after the initial strong start.

Vitoria won just three of their final 18 league games, being pipped to sixth spot by Santa Clara on the final day as a result after occupying that position for the majority of the season.

That meant the Guimaraes outfit missed out on European football in the final round of fixtures, and after Joao Henriques, Bino and Moreno all took their turn to lead the side last year, the hierarchy appointed Pepa at the beginning of the new campaign.

The 40-year-old guided Pacos de Ferreira to a fifth-placed finish last season after an impressive campaign, ending 10 points clear of Os Vimaranenses.

Nonetheless, he made the switch and will be keen to get off to a strong start at his new club, despite their defeat to Portimonense in the opening league game of the season.

That game remained goalless for 85 minutes, only for Beto to hit a late winner and snatch all three points for the visitors as a result.

They will be desperate to bounce back on Friday with a victory, as they look to set themselves up for a push for the top five this time around.

Team News

Estoril Praia boast a clean bill of health for Friday's game, and Miguel Crespo will likely mark his return to action with a start in midfield.

That should come alongside Joao Gamboa and Bruno Lourenco after both impressed in the first league game of the season.

Wide man Ryotaro Meshino put his claim forward for a starting spot by finding the net from the bench in Saturday's win over Arouca, while Andre Franco will certainly keep his place after his opening goal.

Winger Diogo Rochinha will return to availability for Vitoria de Guimaraes, after he served a suspension for the opening league game.

He will likely come straight into the front three on the opposite flank to Ricardo Quaresma or Marcus Edwards, while Pepa opted to deploy Bruno Duarte in the central role on Sunday.

That was in the absence of striker Oscar Estupinan through injury, while midfielder Joseph Amoah and first-choice goalkeeper Bruno Varela will also miss out.

Midfielder Alfa Semedo impressed on his competitive debut for the Guimaraes outfit, and he will again start in the engine room alongside Andre Andre and Andre Almeida, after he was brought in to fill the gap left by Pepelu, who returned to Levante after a loan spell in Portugal.

Toni Borevkovic was another notable summer signing, arriving from Rio Ave, and he should partner Jorge Fernandes at the heart of the back four again on Friday.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Soria, Africo, Vital, Joaozinho; Crespo, Lourenco, Gamboa; Franco, Clovis, Meshino

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

We say: Estoril Praia 1-1 Vitoria de Guimaraes

Given the starts of the two sides, we see Estoril Praia frustrating Vitoria de Guimaraes to take at least a point from Pepa's men on Friday.

An opening day victory will hugely lift their confidence, and while Vitoria boast the stronger collection of talent, the momentum is certainly on the side of the hosts.

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