Gil Vicente and Arouca get round 11 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga underway when they square off at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Friday.

Both sides head into the game fresh off the back of ending their respective winless runs and will be looking to build on that performance and keep the juggernaut rolling.

Match preview

Gil Vicente moved into the top half of the Primeira Liga table last Sunday when they secured a hard-earned 2-1 win over a dogged Maritimo side away from home.

In an action-packed contest at the Estadio do Maritimo, Bruno Xadas netted on the stroke of half time to draw the hosts level after Kanya Fujimoto broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, but Brazilian forward Lucas Cunha came up trunks for the visitors as he scored the winner to condemn Maritimo to a fourth defeat in five games across all competitions.

Prior to that, Ricardo Soares's side were on a run of seven straight league games without a win, picking up three draws and losing four since claiming successive victories over Boavista and Portimonense back in August.

However, in that time, they secured a spot in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal when they claimed an emphatic 5-0 win against lower-tier Clube Condeixa on October 17.

The win last time out saw the Gilistas move into eighth place in the Primeira Liga standings, three points above Arouca, after picking up 12 points from 10 outings.

While Vicente will be looking to make it two wins from two, they face the stern test of going up against an opposing side, who they have failed to beat in any of the most recent eight meetings between the sides, losing five and managing three draws.

Like Friday's hosts, Arouca found their feet last time out when they claimed a 2-0 victory over Tondela at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca.

Despite seeing just 39% of the ball possession, Joao Basso calmly converted from the spot shortly after the half-hour mark before Andre Bukia made sure of the result with a 68th-minute strike.

The result saw Armando Evangelista's men end their seven-game winless run across all competitions as they had picked up three draws and four defeats in that time, including a penalty shoot out loss against bottom-tier Leca in the Taca de Portugal on October 17.

This has been owing to their struggles away from home, where they are yet to taste victory and boast the division's third-worst record with two points and nine goals conceded from five games.

Arouca follow this game with a home clash against Boavista, while Gil Vicente visit Leca in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal after the international break.

Team News

Gil Vicente remains unable to call upon the services of Joao Afonso as the Brazilian midfielder continues his long journey to full fitness after picking up a severe injury back in April's game against Moreirense.

He is joined on the club's injury table by fellow countryman Murillo, who is set to miss his fourth game on the spin, having come off with an injury against Estoril Praia one month ago.

With 10-goal involvements between them, Samuel Lino and Fran Navarro have been crucial for the Gilistas this season and the duo will be one to keep an eye on in this game.

Meanwhile, Sema Velazquez will play no part for Arouca after the defender sustained an Achilles tendon injury while on international duty for Venezuela against Argentina back in September.

Ghanaian midfielder Moses Yaw remains out of contention for the visitors having picked up a knee problem back in April, while fellow midfielder Pite will serve his suspension after receiving his marching orders versus Tondela last time out.

In the absence of the 27-year-old, Braga loanee Tiago Esgaio could be handed his third league start of the season and team up with Leandro Silva and Kouassi Eboue at the centre of the park.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Frelih; Talocha, Fernandes, Cunha, Carlos; Pedrinho, Carvalho; Fujimoto; Leautey, Lino, Navarro

Arouca possible starting lineup:
Castro; Thales, Ba, Basso, Quaresma; Silva, Esgaio, Eboue; Bukia, Araujo, Silva

We say: Gil Vicente 1-1 Arouca

With just three points and three places between both sides in midtable, this game has the makings of an absorbing contest. Considering they head into the game in similar form, this should be a close one to call. We anticipate both sides will take a cautious approach to the game to avoid falling back to another defeat and settle for a share of the spoils.

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