Preview: Arouca vs. Estoril Praia - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts come into this one fresh off the back of a 5-1 thumping from Porto, while the visitors are on a nine-match winless run in all competitions.

Match preview

Arouca continued their fairytale run in the Taca da Liga by seeing off Moreirense 2-1 at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on December 22, however, they were brought firmly back down to earth last time out against Porto in the league.

Armando Evangelista's men were put to the sword by the reigning champions, after Otavio gave the home side the lead in the opening minute, before Mehdi Taremi scored a fine hat-trick to ensure that there was no way back for the visitors.

Jerome Opoku put one past his own goalkeeper to rub salt into the wounds, although Bruno Marques did grab a late consolation goal for Arouca.

With 19 points from 14 matches, Evangelista's side are currently 10th in the Primeira Liga table, but could potentially rise as high as seventh place if they manage to claim all three points on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Estoril Praia will finally return to league proceedings this weekend after their match against Boavista on December 29 was postponed due to a lighting problem in the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota. As a result, Nelson Verissimo's side have not been in action since their 1-0 loss to Famalicao in the Taca da Liga on December 15.

That defeat signified the end of Estoril Praia's Taca da Liga campaign as they finished rock-bottom in Group H after picking up two points from their four matches.

Verissimo's side will now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they are currently on a four-game winless run, claiming one draw and losing three matches since October's 1-0 victory at Gil Vicente.

The Canarinhos sit three points behind their opponents on Saturday in 13th, and they may be quietly confident of getting a positive result, as they have the sixth-best away record in the division.

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

W

D

W

W

L

L

Arouca form (all competitions):

D

D

W

W

W

L

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:

D

W

L

D

L

L

Estoril Praia form (all competitions):

L

L

D

L

D

L

Team News

The hosts will have to cope without 22-year-old striker Vitinho, who has been out of action since October through a severe injury.

Rafa Mujica, who was not involved in the defeat against Porto, has scored nine goals in 18 appearances across all competitions for Arouca, and should come back into the side here.

As for the visitors, Verissimo is expected to be without Joao Gamboa, after the midfielder picked up a muscle injury last time out.

Estriol Praia will also take to the pitch without the services of Brazilian forward Erison, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card in the cup game against Famalicao. His suspension will carry over into this match after the clash against Boavista was postponed.

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Arruabarrena; Milovanov, Basso, Opoku, Quaresma; Bukia, Ruiz, Soro, Simao, Sylla; Mujica

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:

Figueira; Santos, Mexer, Vital, Araujo; Rosier, Ndiaye; Marques, Carvalho, Tavares; Martins

We say: Arouca 1-0 Estoril Praia

Despite the heavy defeat last week to Porto, we are siding with the hosts in this one.

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