Gil Vicente will look to record the victory which would secure their Primeira Liga status for another season when they host Braga on Sunday evening.

The hosts are currently in 10th but are not mathematically safe with three games remaining, while Braga look set for a fourth-placed finish.

Match preview

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Gil Vicente secured a massive victory in their quest to avoid relegation on Wednesday night, winning 1-0 away to Maritimo due to a Samuel Lino first-half goal.

That result reduced any fears of relegation, with Ricardo Soares's side now sitting seven points above the bottom two and knowing a win on the weekend would guarantee avoiding relegation.

They came into the Maritimo game after a disappointing 0-0 draw at home against struggling Farense, as well as two consecutive defeats against Famalicao and Belenenses respectively.

Despite still mathematically being in danger of relegation, with the league being as close as it is, Gil Vicente are only two points behind eighth, which would be their highest league finish since ending seventh in the 2002-03 campaign.

If they want a strong finish to the season, starting with a win on Sunday, they will need to end their run of three home games without a victory against a Braga side to whom they lost 1-0 in January in a very close affair.

Braga come into the weekend's game after a drop in form, winning only once in their last six games, ending their chances of a Champions League or Europa League finish in second or third, meaning they will have to settle for the new UEFA Conference League next season.

Having lost their previous two games 1-0 to Sporting Lisbon and Maritimo, the Archbishops managed to earn a draw on Wednesday evening against fifth-placed Pacos de Ferreira, ending any doubts of being leapfrogged by the opposition in the final weeks.

Pacos de Ferreira opened the scoring in the first half through Portuguese forward Joao Pedro, with a late penalty scored by Wenderson Galeno levelling it for Braga.

Even though Carlos Carvalhal's side are almost certain to finish in fourth, they will still want to end the season strongly to mount a run of form ahead of their cup final against Benfica on May 23.

Sunday's match could possibly be an entertaining affair, with there being at least one red card in the last three meetings between the two, Braga winning two of those 1-0 while the other ended 2-2.

Team News

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Defender Joao Afonso is Gil Vicente's only absentee going into this weekend's game yet this is unlikely to have much effect with both Ygor Nogueira and Ruben Fernandes above him in the battle for the centre-back position next to Rodrigao.

After scoring the winner last time out, Lino is likely set to start ahead of Pedro Marques up front.

The visitors will be again without young winger Iuri Medeiros and centre-back David Carmo, while full-back Francisco Moura is getting closer to a return from injury.

Carvalhal is boosted by the return of Ali Musrati from suspension, and he will be ready to start for Braga in midfield.

Wing-back Galeno and forward Abel Ruiz are set to return to Braga's starting lineup after being used as substitutes last time out.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Denis; Talocha, Rodrigao, Nogueira, Pereira; Pedrinho, Mineiro, Carvalho; Lourency, Lino, Leautey

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Silva, Tormena, Sequeira; Esgaio, Musrati, Fransergio, Galeno; Piazon, Ruiz, Gaitan

We say: Gil Vicente 2-0 Braga

Gil Vicente have looked an improved side this season and will be aiming to end a run of seven games in all competitions against Braga this weekend. The visitors have been on a poor run of form recently, which may continue at the weekend.

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