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

Arouca got the better of their opponents in the recent cup fixture, holding their nerve from the penalty spot to win a shootout and advance to the next round.

Match preview

Boavista enjoyed an impressive start to the 2023-24 campaign, winning four of their opening five matches to leave them top of the table and level on points with Sporting and Porto.

However, rather than build upon their fast start, Boavista have experienced a dramatic drop-off, having failed to win any of their last six league matches (D2, L4).

Since drawing with Moreirense on October 6, Petit's side have gone on to lose three consecutive league games against Sporting Lisbon, Rio Ave and Farense, which has seen them drop down the table to ninth position.

Unfortunately for Boavista, they were unable to find any solace in the Taca de Portugal, as they experienced penalty-shootout disappointment despite showing great fight to come from two goals down in 120 minutes of action.

Having conceded at least two goals in each of their last four competitive outings, Sunday's host will need to improve in the defensive third if they are to have any chance of claiming their fifth victory of the Primeira Liga season.

After finishing in fifth place last season, Arouca are now facing a battle to extend their top-flight stay into a fourth consecutive season.

Having failed to win a league game since the opening day of the season, they are currently lying at the foot of the table with six points to their name and four points separating them from safety.

The club's hierarchy ultimately took the decision to make a change and dismiss Daniel Ramos following the 3-1 defeat to Farense earlier this month.

Daniel Sousa was subsequently placed in charge and got off to a successful start, overseeing last weekend's cup success, which secured Arouca a place in the last 16 of the Taca de Portugal for a second straight season.

Ramos will now turn his focus to the first league game of his tenure, and he will be well aware that Arouca need to carry a greater attacking threat after failing to trouble the scorers in six of their last seven top-flight matches.

Boavista Primeira Liga form:

L

D

D

L

L

L

Boavista form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

L

L

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

Arouca form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

L

W

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Team News

Boavista are still without the services of long-term absentees Cesar, Vincent Sasso, Augusto Dabo and Miguel Reisinho due to injury.

Forward Martim Tavares is expected to miss Saturday's encounter after he picked up a leg injury in last Sunday's cup meeting.

Having scored six goals in 11 league games this season, Slovakian forward Robert Bozenik will be one of the home side's main attacking threats.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon the injured trio of Rafael Fernandes, Quaresma and Pedro Moreira, while left-back Weverson is a doubt following his absence last weekend.

After goalkeeper Thiago was given the chance to impress in the cup, Uruguayan shot-stopper Ignacio de Arruabarrena will return between the posts for Saturday's away clash.

Sousa could stick with the front three that started the cup tie, which would see Jason, Cristo and Rafa Mujica resume their respective roles in the forward line.

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Goncalves; Agra, Awaziem, Abascal, Onyemaechi; Lourenco, Perez, Makouta; Watai, Morais, Bozenik

Arouca possible starting lineup:

De Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Galovic, Montero, Milanov; Simao, Kouassi, Sylla; Jason, Cristo, Mujica

We say: Boavista 2-1 Arouca

Although Arouca enjoyed success in Sousa's first game in charge, last weekend's cup meeting did take place on home turf.

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