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

The visitors, who cruised through to the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal last weekend and will be looking to build on their cup result and secure a third consecutive win for the first time since May 2021.

Match preview

Maritimo hit a new low in the 2022-23 campaign as they suffered a third-round exit from the Taca de Portugal last Saturday when they suffered a 4-2 loss away to Segunda Liga outfit Mafra.

With nothing to separate the sides after the first half, Bruno Xadas and Murilo Freitas scored for either side to force extra time, where Pedro Schwaizer and Freitas netted to hand the hosts a hard-fought victory.

Joao Henriques's men now turn their sight to the Primeira Liga, where they have lost nine of their 10 matches this season, with a 1-1 draw against Boavista on October 9 being the only exception.

O Maior das Ilhas, whose last league victory came back in April, are currently rooted to the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings and their dire start to the season has been down to defensive frailties as they have conceded a staggering 25 goals in the league already.

However, Maritimo will fancy their chances of getting their season up and running as they take on an Arouca side against whom they are unbeaten in each of the last four meetings between the teams, claiming three wins and one draw since a 1-0 loss in October 2016.

Elsewhere, Arouca secured their place in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal last time out when they claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory over lower-tier side Fontinhas away from home.

Oday Dabbagh opened the scoring at the Estadio Joao Paulo II on the 10th-minute mark to put the visitors in the driver's seat before Bruno Marques made sure of the history with a 79th-minute effort.

Arouca now return to the Primeira Liga, where they cruised to a 4-1 victory over Famalicao on October 10 courtesy of goals from Andre Bukia, Morlaye Sylla, Antony Alves and Dabbagh.

Prior to that, Armando Evangelista's men were on a run of five consecutive games without a win, picking up three draws and losing twice while conceding 11 goals and scoring four goals in that time.

The Arouquences have now picked up three wins, three draws and lost three of their nine league matches to collect 12 points and sit 11th in the standings, level on points with 10th-placed Chaves.

Maritimo Primeira Liga form:

L

L

L

L

L

D

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

L

D

L

D

D

W

Team News

Maritimo will be without the services of 26-year-old midfielder Joel Sonora, who received his marching orders in the cup defeat against Mafra last time out.

Xadas has been a standout performer for O Maior das Ilhas despite their underwhelming start to the season and the Portuguese international, who has three goals and two assists in his last six matches, will look to deliver the goods once again.

Meanwhile, with his opener against Fontinhas, Dabbagh now has five goals in his last six games for club and country and the Palestine International should lead the Arouca attack once again.

Alan Ruiz, Alves and 27-year-old forward Bukia, who registered six goal involvements last season, should all join in the attack, while David Simao and Celtic loanee Ismaila Soro should retain their roles at the centre of the park.

At the defensive end of the pitch, skipper Joao Basso and England international Jerome Opoku should form the centre-back pairing once again, shielding goalkeeper Ignacio de Arruabarrena between the sticks.

Maritimo possible starting lineup:

Trmal; Winck, Brito, Andrade, China; Afonso, Mendes; Xadas, Beltrame, Vidigal; Tagueu

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Opoku, Basso, Quaresma; Simao, Soro; Bukia, Ruiz, Alves; Dabbagh

We say: Maritimo 1-2 Arouca

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