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

Two crushing defeats to start the campaign leave the visitors treading water already, while Arouca have had a chaotic start to the season.

Match preview

That start for Arouca sees them up in fifth after two games - the same position in which they finished last season - and only Boavista have scored more goals.

A 4-3 opening day victory over Estoril set the precedent as they were 2-1 and 3-2 down with 10 men but still came back to win.

Another first-half red card against Vizela last weekend looked set to cost them, but Arouca defied the odds again, claiming a 2-2 draw despite playing with 10 men for 83 minutes.

Their fantastic fifth-place finish last season saw manager Armando Evangelista leave for Goias in Brazil, but the incoming Daniel Ramos was unable to take advantage of their excellent position.

Qualification for the Europa Conference League was sealed by coming fifth, but Arouca are already out after Brann got the better of them in a third-round qualifying tie.

Arouca led 2-0 in the home first leg, but a late consolation followed by three unanswered goals in the first half of the second leg for Brann was too much to overcome.

While the hosts have had mixed fortunes in plenty of goal-laden encounters, Portimonense have been involved in similar goal frenzies, but mostly at their expense.

Paulo Sergio's side started the season with a very concerning 5-0 thrashing in Barcelos against Gil Vicente.

Matters got even worse though when they were hammered 4-1 at home by a rampant Boavista, who blew them away inside the opening 22 minutes.

Those results leave Portimonense rock bottom, one of four teams still without a point, but their much inferior goal difference leaves them adrift.

After struggling heavily last season, being the league's lowest scorers and finishing just one place above the drop zone, another season of stress looks on the cards.

Their last seven league outings have produced just one point, four goals and a whopping 22 goals conceded.

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

Arouca form (all competitions):

Portimonense Primeira Liga form:

Portimonense form (all competitions):

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Team News

Eboue Kouassi will return to the squad for Arouca after serving a one-match ban for his opening day red card.

However, Matias Rocha's red against Vizela last week means he will be absent here.

Nino Galovic also received his marching orders against Brann in Europe last week, but dismissals on the continent will not carry into domestic matches.

Benji Michel remains out with an ACL injury, while Pedro Moreira and Vitinho are also out long term.

Sylvester Jasper was absent from the Portimonense squad last week after arriving from Fulham.

Igor Formiga was given a debut by Sergio in their defeat to Boavista, and Ronie Carrillo netted his first goal for the club after signing from El Nacional in Ecuador.

Mohamed Diaby has departed the club in the past week though, joining Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long-loan.

Arouca possible starting lineup:

De Arruabarrena; Tiago Esgaio, Opoku, Galovic, Weverson; Sylla, Pedro Santos, David Simao; Jason, Mujica, Gonzalez

Portimonense possible starting lineup:

Vinicius Silvestre; Moura Oliveira, Relvas, Alcobia, Seck; Mauricio, Estrela Moreira, Carlinhos; Rildo, Carrillo, Goncalo Costa

We say: Arouca 2-1 Portimonense

Arouca remain unbeaten after two league games, and while they have proven they can score goals, they have also been conceding very frequently.

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