- Vitoria Guimaraes are the form book favourites to win Friday's fixture (D2, L3, W0 in their last five matches).
- CS Maritimo Funchal are also out of form (D1, L4 in their last five) and without a win.
- Maritimo's away form is mediocre, with one win, one draw and three defeats from five trips, an average of 1.00 goal scored per game and 1.60 goals conceded on average.
Tactical clash at Estadio D. Afonso Henriques
CS Maritimo Funchal have been poor in all areas of the pitch over the last month or so, winning two, drawing two and losing six of their last ten matches across all competitions.
Mitchell van der Gaag, who has been the head coach of the Madeira-based club since 1 July 2026, is a patient manager who likes his teams to keep a compact shape, build up in a controlled manner and to press selectively.
However, Tiago Margarido, who has been in charge of Vitória Guimarães since 1 July 2026, prefers his team to play a higher tempo and will have his men pressing more proactively and making more attempts to play through the thirds.
Recent match trends do not favour the hosts
The recent match trend between these two clubs is a little skewed by the fact that Vitoria have had the better of the pair in the last two head-to-heads, winning the most recent one away from home 2-1 in Primeira Liga 2022/2023, but Maritimo will be in good spirits because they are yet to win away to the Conquistadores.
Vitoria are the clear form book favorites for Friday's match, despite their own poor recent record (D2, L3, W0 in their last five), but the odds on offer (51/100) are a little too short, especially as Maritimo are 27/5 and the draw is 59/20.
Maritimo are the more out-of-form side, with zero wins, one draw and four defeats from their last five, but Vitoria are also in a bad place (D2, L3, W0) and they could easily fall into a trap on Friday.
Maritimo have a good chance to avoid defeat
The hosts are likely to have the edge in a game such as this, but they have lacked conviction in recent matches and may have to work for a win, so Maritimo will certainly be in with a chance.
Vitoria's recent matches don't look good, a 2-1 away defeat to Académico Viseu, a 1-1 home draw against Moreirense and a 2-0 away loss to SL Benfica, but they have been relatively solid at home, where they have conceded just two goals in four games (W1, D2, L1).
Marítimo have been awful away from home recently, so Under 2.5 goals at 77/100 looks a safer bet in this clash of two very average sides that could be a cagey encounter with just one goal the difference.
BTTS No at 67/100 also appeals in this fixture because Vitoria should have enough quality and home advantage to nick it, but we like the Under line more because one goal is all that may be needed for the three points.
