Vizela will host Estrela Amadora on Friday in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal, with both teams looking to put their league form to one side.

Neither team is thriving right now in the Primeira Liga, but knockout football should provide a welcome distraction.

Match preview

Vizela have struggled in the league so far this season, having won just two of their 14 matches to this point, which is why the distraction of the Taca de Portugal will be welcomed.

Samuel Essende scored the only goal of the encounter, and the clean sheet was enough to secure them a place in the hat where they will be looking to continue.

Pablo Villar has decent defensive performances from his team, but that has come at the expense of goals, with the team scoring just 11 times in the league to this point.

The fact they only managed a single goal in the previous round furthers this point, and it is clearly an area to improve heading into this fixture.

With consecutive matches without a loss and two clean sheets, Vizela should be full of belief that they can get a result in this game, and they will force the visitors to step up from an attacking perspective.

Much like the hosts, finding the back of the net has been an issue for Estrela Amadora, and that is why this fixture is not expected to be a high-scoring game.

They also secured a place in the fourth round via a one-goal win, and it took until the 84th minute against Vila Mea for that to happen.

Erivaldo Almeida was the man who got on the scoresheet that night, and while it was something the team had to be patient to achieve the fact they can fight until the last minute could prove to be beneficial this week.

Sergio Vieira's men were on the receiving end of a late goal at the weekend, though, when they conceded in the 90th minute against Moreirense, which is a result they will be keen to put behind them.

Estrela Amadora have lost consecutive games heading into this match which has led to them dropping down to just above the relegation zone, but without the pressure of having to secure points the team could play with more flow and freedom.

Team News

Jardel could be in line for a return to the starting lineup in this fixture after being used as a substitute at the weekend in what has been an injury-plagued season so far for the forward.

Matias Lacava will be expected to feature from the first whistle as he brings the width to the team, while at the back it is unlikely any alterations will be made due to their impressive performance last weekend.

The visitors are also unlikely to make defensive tweaks, but they do play with three at the back in comparison to the flat-four that Vizela has been using lately, and the different formations could provide a test for each side.

With two goals to his name already this season, Kikas should lead the line for Estrela Amadora as he looks to change their fortunes in front of goal.

Vizela possible starting lineup:
Buntic; Silva, Wilson, Santos, Escoval; Samu, Ortiz, Nascimento; Jardel, Essende, Lacava

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Dos Santos; Omurwa, Lopes, Gaspar; Reis, Lima Silva, Aloisio, Felipe; Ronald, Jaba, Kikas

We say: Vizela 1-0 Estrela Amadora

Neither team is thriving when in front of goal, and with that in mind this is expected to be a low-scoring game that will no doubt be tense.

With little to split them in the league, this Taca de Portugal encounter is set to be a close one, but the hosts could just push this one due to the atmosphere alone.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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