Guimarães vs Marítimo – News and Probable Lineups

Vitoria de Guimaraes aims to transform their recent cup win into a positive momentum shift in the league as they host newly promoted Maritimo at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques on Friday evening.

Currently, Tiago Margarido’s team is in 15th position in the Primeira Liga standings, earning only five points from their first eight matches, while Mitchell van der Gaag’s squad is placed 11th with eight points from the same number of games.

Match overview

Last season, finishing ninth was a disappointment for Vitoria, as it marked their lowest placement in eight years. This season, however, they have struggled even more under Tiago Margarido, setting a new low following a troubling start.

With only one win in their first eight top-flight games of the 2026-27 season, Margarido’s players find themselves just one point above the relegation spots, having lost five of those matches. Their main struggle has been a lack of efficiency in the attacking third.

Vitoria has netted only five times in this campaign, better only than bottom clubs Estoril Praia (four) and Casa Pia (three), while their defence has allowed 10 goals.

The Conquerors have gone five matches without a win in the league (D2, L3), and their last league encounter resulted in a 2-0 defeat to Benfica, meaning Margarido’s team has failed to score in half of their matches this season.

Despite this, Vitoria approaches the match on Friday with renewed confidence following their cup win, having secured a narrow 1-0 victory over ACDR Lamelas from a lower division in the Taca de Portugal last Saturday. They will be eager to improve their record of just one win in four league fixtures at Afonso Henriques this season.

Similarly, Maritimo will look to leverage their recent cup success after defeating lower-division GD Alcochetense 2-1, thus advancing to the next stage of the Portuguese Cup.

Also aiming for a resurgence in the league, Van der Gaag’s men have not won in their last six top-flight matches (D2, L4) after starting their top-level return with victories against Casa Pia and Famalicao in their opening fixtures.

Their latest league performance ended in a 2-1 defeat at home to defending champions Porto, following draws against Academico de Viseu and Gil Vicente, in a stretch hindered by three successive losses to Arouca, Benfica, and Moreirense.

Much of Maritimo’s recent performances have been hampered by defensive weaknesses, with the team allowing at least two goals in five of their last six Primeira Liga matches while managing to score nine times themselves across eight fixtures.

History does not favor the visitors, with Maritimo having not secured a win in their last 10 encounters with Vitoria, losing eight of those matches, including the last four. Their previous visit to the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques concluded in a 1-0 loss back in November 2022.

Team News

Vitoria will miss Alioune Ndoye due to suspension, while Juan Castillo and Francisco Dias are expected to be sidelined for several weeks with ankle and foot injuries respectively.

Thiago Balieiro’s availability is uncertain as he is dealing with knee issues, although Toni Borevkovic and Arnel Jakupovic are expected to return after completing a physical management program. Tony Strata and Ahmed Sidibe are also back in contention.

Meanwhile, Gustavo Silva has made a recovery from a muscle injury that kept him out for a month, offering a timely boost for the hosts, considering he has scored the most goals for the club since his arrival in 2024.

Maritimo is also keeping an eye on Yellu Santiago’s fitness, who has not played since the opening match due to a muscle complaint, while Vladan Danilovic remains a doubt after missing the recent cup match.

Adrian Butzke might rejoin the starting lineup after a brief substitute appearance in the domestic cup, with the striker eager to end a six-match goal drought.

Vitoria de Guimaraes probable starting XI:

Zych; Strata, Borevkovic, Rivas, Mendes; Doucet, G Nogueira; G Silva, Samu, Camara; Jakupovic.

Maritimo probable starting XI:

Vieites; Juliao, Correia, Szalia, Henrique; Alani, Guzzo; Dominguez, Andrade, Tejon; Butzke.

Neither team has had a particularly convincing run in the league recently, but Vitoria’s home field advantage, a better head-to-head record, and the return of Gustavo Silva provide Margarido’s side with a reason to believe they may secure a narrow win in what is expected to be a closely fought battle.