Preview: Arouca vs. Portimonense - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, would leapfrog their opponents into seventh spot with an away victory.

Match preview

Having survived relegation in their first season back in Portugal's top tier last time out, Arouca appear to have larger aims this time around having gained 23 points from 16 matches ahead of their next match on Friday.

Armando Evangelista remains a popular figure at the club having guided them to promotion with a stunning 5-0 aggregate win against Rio Ave in the promotion play-offs, before keeping them two points clear of facing that same two-legged affair - albeit from the reverse situation - at the end of last season.

Arouquenses were unfortunate to be drawn away to Porto in the last-16 of the Taca da Liga (Portugal's primary cup competition), with the league champions running out comfortable 4-0 winners, but Evangelista's side bounced back with a creditable 1-1 draw away to Chaves last weekend.

Joao Othavio Basso's late penalty ensured that Arouca remained ahead of their opponents in the table, with chasing down Casa Pia AC in fifth position and qualifying for Europe for only the second time in the club's history perhaps a realistic ambition for the rest of the campaign.

Portimonense, meanwhile, are continuing to stabilise themselves in the Portugal Primeira Liga, with this season representing their sixth consecutive appearance in their nation's top division.

Alvinegros were fortunate to avoid relegation after finishing second-from-bottom in the 2019-20 campaign, with Vitoria de Setubal demoted instead of them due to licensing issues.

Former Sporting boss Paulo Sergio has remained in charge throughout the process since, surviving relegation by a solitary point in the following season before steering the club nine points clear of danger last time around.

As such, Sergio's side are not expected to be in any real trouble this season, but a winless run of four matches ahead of their trip to Arouca on Friday has seen them drop to 12th in the table, with only six points separating them from Santa Clara in the bottom three.

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

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Arouca form (all competitions):

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Portimonense Primeira Liga form:

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Portimonense form (all competitions):

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Team News

Arouca will be without Jerome Opoku through suspension after the central defender received a straight red card in injury-time during their 1-1 draw against Chaves last weekend.

Nino Galovic is the most likely candidate to replace the former Fulham defender at the heart of Evangelista's back line, with the 49-year-old unlikely to make any other changes given that he appears to have no injury issues restricting his selection.

Portimonense, on the other hand, will travel without Carlinhos and their captain Pedro Sa due to injuries, while Gustavo Klismahn is a doubt after being substituted during his side's 0-0 draw against Santa Clara last week.

Luquinha could replace the 23-year-old on the right flank, with Sergio likely to be weighing up other attacking changes given that his side could not break down their opponents, who played with one man fewer for over an hour after seeing Pierre Sagna sent off after only 28 minutes.

Arouca possible starting lineup:

De Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Basso, Galovic, Quaresma; Soro, Simao; Sylla, Ruiz, Antony; Dabagh

Portimonense possible starting lineup:

Nakamura; Moufi, Henrique, Relvas, Seck; Luquinha, Estrela, Diaby, Ouattara; Junior, Cariello

We say: Arouca 1-1 Portimonense

Both sides will be pleased with their respective campaigns so far, and there is unlikely to be much splitting them on the day.

As such, we would not be surprised if a share of the spoils is the ultimate outcome, which would prolong Portimonense's winless streak.

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