Preview: Arouca vs. Gil Vicente - prediction, team news, lineups

The Gilistas, on the other hand, head into the weekend unbeaten in five consecutive games across all competitions and will be looking to make it two wins from their opening two league outings.

Match preview

Arouca endured a forgettable start to the 2022-23 Portuguese top-flight campaign as they fell on the receiving end of a 4-0 away to Benfica when the sides met last Friday.

In a game where Mateus Quaresma received his marching orders, goals from Gilberto, Enzo Fernandez and a brace from Rafa Silva saw the 2018-19 champions stroll to a comfortable opening-day victory.

Prior to that, Armando Evangelista's men had a shaky pre-season campaign, picking up two wins, one draw and losing two of their five friendly outings while scoring six goals and shipping nine in that time.

The Arouquenses head into Monday unbeaten in each of their last four Primeira Liga games, picking up two wins and two draws since a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Pacos de Ferreira on March 12.

Arouca will fancy their chances of extending their fine home record as they welcome an opposing side against whom they are unbeaten in each of the last 10 meetings between the sides, claiming six wins and four draws in that time.

Elsewhere, Gil Vicente secured their place in the fourth round of the Conference League qualifiers as they claimed a 4-0 second-leg victory over Rica FC last time out.

Having held on for a 1-1 draw in Latvia on August 3, goals from Fran Navarro, Kevin Villodres and an own goal from Ngonda Muzinga put the Gilistas in a commanding half-time lead before Navarro capped off a fine team performance with a 76th-minute penalty.

Gil Vicente now turn their focus to the Primeira Liga, where they kicked off their new campaign with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Pacos de Ferreira last Monday courtesy of a late strike from Ali Alipour.

Ivo Vieira's men are now unbeaten in each of their last five games across all competitions, picking up three wins and two draws since May's 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Vitoria de Guimaraes.

While Gil Vicente will look to keep the juggernaut rolling, they have struggled to get going on the road, where they have managed two draws and lost three of their last five outings since the start of April.

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

Arouca form (all competitions):

Gil Vicente Primeira Liga form:

Gil Vicente form (all competitions):

Team News

Arouca will take to the pitch without the services of 25-year-old defender Mateus Quaresma, who picked up a straight red in the first half against Benfica last weekend.

In his absence, Portuguese youngster Rafael Fernandes could be thrown into the mix, teaming up with Jerome Opoku, Joao Basso and 27-year-old Tiago Esgaio.

On the injury front, the Arouquenses will be without Venezuelan international Sema Velazquez, who continues his long road to full fitness after picking up an ACL injury last September.

As for Gil Vicente, Vieira will be unable to call upon the services of Murilo de Souza after the 27-year-old Brazilian sustained an ACL injury in January's game versus Boavista.

He is joined on the Gilistas' injury list by former Zenit St. Petersburg goalkeeper Stanislav Kritsyuk, who has been sidelined since last November through a knee injury.

Navarro turned in a fine performance in the Conference League qualifying clash against Riga FC last time out and the 24-year-old should lead the visiting side's attack once again.

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Basso, Opoku, Milovanov; Yaw, Busquets, Ruiz; Antony, Mujica, Arsenio

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Andrew; Veiga, Ferrugem, Fernandes, Gomes; Bueno, Fujimoto; Boselli, Carvalho, Medina; Navarro

We say: Arouca 1-2 Gil Vicente

While Arouca will look to get their domestic assignment up and running, they face a spirited Gil Vicente side who have hit the ground running this season. We are backing the Gilistas to build on their Conference League result and end their winless run against the Arouquenses.

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