Estrela Amadoravs.Arouca

While the Tricolours have struggled to grind out results this season, they head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last four home matches and will be looking to extend this fine run.

Match preview

Estrela Amadora failed to pull clear of the danger zone last Friday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Farense when the two sides squared off the Estadio de Sao Luis.

Spanish forward Dario Poveda netted his third goal in four games midway through the first half to put Farense in front before they turned in a solid defensive display in the second half to see out the win.

This followed a humiliating 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Benfica in the Taca de Portugal fourth round on November 23, when Angel Di Maria netted a first-half hat-trick to fire As Aguias through to the fifth round.

Having secured a 14th-placed finish last term, Estrela are one of the early favourites to go down this season as they find themselves 16th in the table with nine points from a possible 36, having picked up two wins and three draws from their 12 matches so far.

Ze Augusto's men will draw inspiration from the fact that eight of their nine points this season have come on home turf, where they are unbeaten in their last four matches, picking up two wins and two draws since losing their first two outings against Famalicao and Casa Pia.

Like this weekend's hosts, it has been a largely disappointing campaign for Arouca as they find themselves rooted to the bottom of the standings, having managed just eight points from their 12 league matches.

The Arouquenses' poor run of results have been owing to their lack of firepower in attack, where they have scored just six goals so far — the division's joint-fewest tally — while conceding 21 at the opposite end of the pitch.

This was highlighted on Monday when they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Benfica at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca, with newly-appointed head coach Claudio Botelho watching his side suffer their eighth defeat of the season in his first game at the helm of affairs.

Arouca will be backing themselves to secure a pick-me-up this weekend as they go up against an opposing side who failed to win both home and away meetings between the teams last season, losing 4-1 on home turf, before playing out a goalless draw at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca.

However, Botelho's men will need to be at their best at the Estadio Jose Gomes as they have failed to win eight of their last nine Primeira Liga away matches, losing five and claiming three draws since mid April.

Estrela Amadora Primeira Liga form:

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Estrela Amadora form (all competitions):

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Arouca Primeira Liga form:

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Arouca form (all competitions):

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Team News

Portuguese defender Ferro was forced off injured midway through the game against Farense last time out and the 27-year-old is a doubt for this weekend's hosts.

Should he fail to shake off the injury, Spotting Lisbon loanee Diogo Travassos should come into the fold, forming the Estrela back three with Ruben Lima and Miguel Lopes.

At the opposite end of the pitch, we expect an unchanged front three of Jovane Cabral, Rodrigo Pinho and Alan Ruiz, with Leo Cordeiro and 21-year-old Igor Jesus teaming up in midfield.

On the other hand, Arouca will take to the pitch without the duo of 32-year-old Nino Galovic and Ivory Coast midfielder Kouassi Eboue, who have been sidelined through knee injuries.

Spanish midfielder Oriol Busquets will also play no part in this weekend's clash as he continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a severe injury back in May.

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:

Brigido; Travassos, Lopes, Lima; Veiga, Jesus, Cordeiro, Nilton; Pinho, Ruiz, Cabral

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Mantl; Esgaio, Lamba, Fontan, Dante; Loum, Simao, Sylla; Jason, Trezza, Rodrigues

We say: Estrela Amadora 1-1 Arouca

With just one point separating Estrela Amadora and Arouca at the bottom end of the table, we anticipate a thrilling matchup at the Estadio Jose Gomes as they set out in search of a morale-boosting result. Both sides are evenly matched on paper and we predict they will cancel out each other's efforts this weekend.

Written by

Joshua Ojele

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