Vizela vs AVS

Vizela Face Uphill Battle in Relegation Playoff Return Leg Against AVS

Vizela has a daunting challenge ahead as they host AVS at the Estádio do FC Vizela on Sunday night, needing a massive turnaround after a crushing 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their Primeira Liga relegation playoff.

This will be Vizela’s first time hosting this fixture, with their previous two meetings—including last week’s heavy loss—taking place in Vila das Aves.

Just a week ago, Vizela entered the playoffs with optimism after a strong Liga Portugal 2 campaign, finishing just one point outside automatic promotion. However, their hopes took a brutal hit when AVS demolished them with three goals in just eight second-half minutes, completely shifting the tie in their favor.

Gustavo Assunção opened the scoring in the 62nd minute, followed by a quick double from Tunde Akinsola (67’, 70’)—leaving Fábio Pereira’s side stunned, especially after a 20-match unbeaten run before this collapse.

The defeat means Vizela has now lost both meetings against AVS this season, failing to score while conceding four goals combined.

Overturning a three-goal deficit seems a monumental task for Vizela, especially given their struggles in front of goal—they’ve failed to score more than twice in nine of their last ten matches. The only time they netted three in that stretch, they still conceded twice.

Their last convincing wins came in late April—4-1 against Mafra and 5-0 against Feirense—but replicating that kind of dominance will be essential if they hope to stage a miraculous comeback.

Meanwhile, AVS entered the playoffs under pressure, having won just once in their last 10 games to close out their debut Primeira Liga season. José Mota’s side struggled for consistency all year and suffered a 3-0 loss to Moreirense on the final day, but their first-leg masterclass has them on the brink of survival.

Despite their commanding lead, AVS can’t afford complacency—their defensive record remains shaky, with five losses by three or more goals in their last nine matches.

However, if they hold firm, they’ll secure their top-flight status the same way they earned it last year—by winning both legs (2-1 each) against Portimonense in the promotion playoff.

Sunday’s clash promises high stakes—will Vizela mount an epic comeback, or will AVS seal their survival?