Gil Vicente vs Portimonense Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Gil Vicente vs Portimonense on and what time does it start? Gil Vicente vs Portimonense will take place on Saturday 12th August, 2023 – 15:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Gil Vicente vs Portimonense? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Gil Vicente vs Portimonense on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Gil Vicente vs Portimonense in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
GIL VICENTE
The last two seasons have been very similar for Gil Vicente with woeful starts being followed up by impressive runs in the mid-part of the season but in the 2021/22 campaign they continued that through to qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League, whereas in 2022/23, they ended up remaining firmly in the bottom-half of the table. Daniel Sousa, the former assistant manager or Andre Villas-Boas, has moved on from the dugout and been replaced by Vitor Campelos.
Campelos was in charge of the Chaves side that gained promotion back to the Primeira Liga for the first time in three years in 2022. He guided them to an impressive top-half finish before being tempted to Gilistas. The hosts will be concerned heading into the season with some of their key players moving on. Most notably, the departure of Fran Navarro to Porto for 7 million euros, as well as Vitor Carvalho and Adrian Marin both moving to Braga.
PORTIMONENSE
Under the management of former Sporting CP, Hearts and Al Taawon boss Paulo Sergio, Portimonense managed to only just narrowly avoid relegation to the second-tier last season. They finished 15th with just ten wins in their 34 matches but half of those victories came in the opening seven matches of the season as they had seemed destined to challenge for a potential top five or six finish and, as a consequence, UEFA Europa Conference League qualification.
The visitors have added some interesting players to their squad this summer with former Palmeiras goalkeeper Vinicius arriving as well as Fulham winger Sylvester Jasper becoming yet another Englishman to grace the Portuguese Primeira Liga. In terms of departures, though, they have lost key attacking midfielder Lucas Fernandes to current Brazilian Serie A league leaders Botafogo, who are currently coached by former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Braga boss Bruno Lage.
THE TEAM NEWS
GIL VICENTE
Vitor Campelos’ preferred formation is a 4-4-1-1 system and, with their young squad, they are expected to name quite a fun and proactive side for this opening day clash.
They do have two injury concerns with Russian goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk and striker Iranian Ali Alipour out for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-1-1): Andrew; Ze Carlos, Pereira, Lopes, Buta; de Souza, Gbane, Castillo, Toure; Fujimoto; Baturina
UNAVAILABLE: Kritsyuk (Injured), Alipour (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
PORTIMONENSE
Paulo Sergio prefers a 4-2-3-1 system and the now long-term Portimonense boss has a fully fit and available squad to choose from on the opening day.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Nakamura; Formiga, Relvas, Pedrao, Seck; Ventura, Mauricio; Kim, Rildo, Jasper; Carrillo
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
These are two sides that head into the 2023/24 Primeira Liga campaign with very different tactical approaches and general wishes for the season. Gil Vicente will be toying with a push towards the top six and European qualification with their young and aggressive, attacking squad. Portimonense, though, on the other hand, are likely to spend the season, once again, battling against finishing in the bottom three. Given that, as well as their home advantage, a slender and low-scoring Gil Vicente win is the expected outcome for this one.
TIP: GIL VICENTE TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
