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

While victory potentially takes the Arouquenses into the Conference League qualification places, the hosts are not far behind in the table and will be looking to keep their hopes of a spot in Europe alive.

Match preview

Famalicao maintained their fine run of form as they picked up a 2-1 victory over Boavista at the Estadio do Bessa just before the international break.

Following an uneventful first half, Ivan Jaime and Mihai Alexandru Dobre put the visitors two goals up before substitute Robert Bozenik pulled one back for Os Axadrezados in the 73rd minute.

Famalicao have now picked up wins in all but one of their last five outings, scoring seven goals and keeping two clean sheets, with a 2-0 loss against league leaders Benfica on March 30 being the exception.

Joao Pedro Sousa's men now return to the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao, where they have shown resilience and are unbeaten in six of their seven outings since the turn of the year.

Since playing out consecutive draws against Academico Viseu and Tondela in their last two home matches in 2022, Famalicao have picked up one draw and five wins in their seven outings this year.

This fine run has seen the Vila Nova reach the semi-finals of the Taca de Portugal courtesy of an emphatic 4-1 home victory over Belenenses in their quarter-final clash on February 8.

Arouca, on the other hand, failed to move into the European qualification places last time out as they played out a disappointing 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Pacos de Ferreira.

Rafa Mujica continued his fine form in front of goal as he broke the deadlock in the 55th minute to put the hosts in front, but Nicolas Gaitan restored parity 20 minutes later to force a share of the spoils at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca.

Prior to that, Armando Evangelista's men were on a run of two back-to-back home wins, edging out Santa Clara 1-0 on February 11, two weeks before claiming a more comfortable 2-0 victory over Casa Pia.

Following their draw against the Pacenses, Arouca are now unbeaten in four consecutive games, picking up two wins and two draws since February's 2-0 defeat at the hands of second-placed Braga.

With 38 points from 25 matches, the Arouquenses are currently seventh in the Primeira Liga standings, two points off the Conference League qualification places and five above Monday's hosts in 10th place.

Arouca head into Monday unbeaten in their last four matches against Famalicao, claiming three wins and one draw since a 2-0 Segunda Liga loss when the sides met in September 2018.

Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

L

W

W

L

W

W

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

W

L

W

D

W

D

Team News

Famalicao will take to the pitch without experienced forward Rui Fonte, who has been sidelined since picking up a knee injury against Braga on February 5.

The 32-year-old is joined on the Vila Nova injury table by the duo of Theo Fonseca and Jose Luis Rodriguez, who have been ruled out through ACL and hamstring injuries respectively.

English defender Jerome Opoku will play no part for Arouca due to a muscle problem, while Vitinho has been out with a knee injury since October.

The Arouquenses will also be without Oday Dabbagh, who has missed the last three matches after sustaining a muscle problem in February's game against Casa Pia.

With his strike against Pacos de Ferreira, Mujica now has 11 goal involvements in his last 11 games and we expect the Spanish forward to lead the visitors' attack once again.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Mihaj, Moura; Youssouf, Colombatto; Silva, Rodrigues, Jaime; Denilson

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Silva; Esgaio, Basso, Galovic, Correia; Soro, Simao; Sylla, Ruiz, Antony; Mujica

We say: Famalicao 2-1 Arouca

Famalicao and Arouca have put together a fine run of form in recent weeks, and with their European aspirations potentially on the line, we anticipate a thrilling top-half clash ensuing at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao. With home advantage in their favour, the Vila Nova are slight favourites in this one and we are backing them to come away with all three points.

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