Gil Vicente vs Pacos Ferreira Predictions

• Gil Vicente are likely to rest players as their main focus is on Thursday’s clash with Riga FC.
• Gil Vicente have drawn four of their last six competitive games.
• Pacos Ferreira have avoided defeat in their last three trips to Barcelos.
• Four of Pacos Ferreira’s five pre-season games featured one goal or fewer with two of them ending 0-0.

Roosters’ focus is on Riga

Gil Vicente’s priority is European progress right now, so the short odds on offer for them to open the Primeira Liga campaign against Pacos Ferreira should be left well alone. A debut campaign in Uefa competitions has taken all the club’s energy and focus in the last few weeks and, after earning a 1-1 draw against Riga FC in midweek, they must complete the job of qualifying for the Conference League group stages on Thursday.

The Portuguese fixture compilers, who readily move games for the big three to help them out in such situations, haven’t shifted the Roosters’ opening clash from Monday so coach Ivo Vieira will likely rest more than half of his regular starters.

The situation that Gil Vicente are experiencing right now is exactly what visitors Pacos Ferreira went through last year. They ended up being eliminated in the final stage of qualification by Tottenham and lost precious league points while they were involved.

Pacos can pack their defence for a draw

The bad start to the campaign ended up costing them dearly in the final standings when they ended up a modest eleventh in the final table. But this season could be more like the one before that and they have shown signs of promise in pre-season, winning two and losing one of five warm-up matches.

Four of those friendlies featured one goal or fewer so there’s an obvious angle about taking under 2.5 goals here, although the market expects a low-scoring affair so there is scant reward.

Gil Vicente finished fifth last season with 13 wins, 12 draws and nine losses, so they could be worth opposing in the double chance market – especially with the looming Riga clash. Pacos have avoided defeat on their last three trips to Barcelos and are capable of dragging out a 0-0 draw in this one.

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