Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia

Preview: Rio Ave vs. Arouca - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 April 2023, 16:24
Arouca will be looking to continue their push for Europe when they travel to Estadio dos Arcos to take on Rio Ave on Friday night.

The visitors have been on a fantastic run in the Primeira Liga, and now occupy fifth place, while the hosts are currently sitting in mid-table.

Match preview

Having been promoted to the top tier last season, Rio Ave have had a very respectable first season back in the Primeira Liga, now in 12th place, 13 points clear of the bottom three with five games to spare.

All things considered, Vilacondenses will be happy with their 2022-23 campaign, and the aim will now be to finish the season strongly, although their form has dipped somewhat in recent weeks.

Luis Freire's side are now winless in their last four games, having lost twice and drawn twice, but they have impressed at times during that period and probably deserved to take something from their 1-0 loss against Benfica.

Last time out, Rio Ave were defeated 3-2 away at Boavista, with their opponents leapfrogging them in the table in the process, in a rare bad day at the office for Freire's defence, who have largely been solid this season.

Arouca have forced their way into contention for the Europa Conference League with a fantastic recent run of form, collecting 21 points from their last 10 games, during which time they have only lost once, in an away trip to Braga.

The most pleasing aspect of Arouquenses' performances has been their ability to grind out results, winning four games during that time period 1-0, while they have also picked up seven clean sheets.

In light of their recent uptick in form, Armando Evangelista's side are in a fantastic position to qualify for the Europa Conference League for the first time, as they are now six points clear of sixth-placed Famalicao with five games to go.

However, to keep themselves in such a strong position, Arouca are tasked with beating a Rio Ave side they came unstuck against earlier in the season, losing 1-0 at home after having zero shots on target in the entire match.

Arouquenses are a much-improved side since then, however, as they showed in their most recent match, defeating Vizela 1-0 at home courtesy of a first-half Morlaye Sylla penalty and a resolute defensive display.

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

W

W

L

D

D

L

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

W

D

W

W

D

W

Team News

The only player Rio Ave will be missing through injury is long-term absentee Joca, who is still recovering from a knee injury, so Joao Graca, Andreas Samaris and Guga are the likely choices in midfield in a 3-5-2 system.

Leonardo Ruiz was brought on as a second-half substitute for Vilacondenses last time out, but the forward was shown a straight red card within 15 minutes and will therefore be suspended, so Hernani should get the nod in attack.

Emmanuel Boateng may start alongside the 31-year-old, having scored his fifth league goal of the season after being brought on as a substitute in the last match.

Arouca will continue to be without Weverson, with the defender missing the last three games through injury, while Oday Dabbagh and Vitinho will also miss out.

Rafa Mujica has been in great form as of late, spearheading Arouquenses' push for Europe with five goals in his last nine games, and the Spaniard is poised to lead the line in what should be a 4-3-3 system.

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Jhonatan; Pantalon, Santos, Sa; Costinha, Graca, Samaris, Guga, Ronaldo; Hernani, Pereira

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Basso, Galovic, Quaresma; Ruiz, Busqueta, Simao; Sylla, Antony, Mujica

We say: Rio Ave 0-1 Arouca

Rio Ave's form has dipped recently, and they have little to play for at this stage of the season, while Arouca are still battling for the final Europa Conference League qualification spot.

As such, we expect the visitors to come away with a narrow victory, in what is likely to be a low-scoring game, given that Evangelista's side have conceded just two goals in their last eight matches.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk For the first time in the CONCACAF Nations League, Canada and Mexico will face each other, with a spot in the final at stake on Thursday at SoFi Stadium. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In the first semi-final of the 2024-25 CONCACAF Nations League, the reigning three-time champions, the USA, host Panama on Thursday at SoFi Stadium in California. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On Thursday Jordan will look to climb into a top two position when they host Palestine at Amman International Stadium on matchday seven of the World Cup 2026 qualification cycle for both teams. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to step up their pursuit of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen over the international break. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly included Victor Osimhen on a four-man striker shortlist for the summer transfer window. 18 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town have reportedly been impressed by Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland but could face competition from Sunderland for his signature. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The first international break of the year will see Liberia take on Tunisia at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex this Wednesday in the fifth round of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The first clash in this international break's double-header sees the Central African Republic face Madagascar at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in neutral Morocco on Wednesday in the fifth round of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifying series. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly prepared to consider selling Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz as it emerges they have seemingly made contact with Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak. 17 March 2025 talksport.com A Bulgarian first division team held a minute's silence for a former player... only to later discover he's still alive. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lionel Messi has been omitted from Argentina's squad list for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil. 17 March 2025 talksport.com After some backlash to his claims that he's the greatest player of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo has some support in the opposition dugout. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Reigning European champions Barcelona Women will head to Germany for Wednesday's Women's Champions League clash against Wolfsburg Women. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Just a few days after they face off in the Women's League Cup final, Manchester City Women will lock horns with Chelsea Women in the first leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-finals. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has left the club, the Premier League side have announced. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany is a "big fan" of Oscar Bobb and is delighted to see the youngster edging closer to a first-team return after being "robbed of a year" due to injury. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool should prioritise Virgil van Dijk's contract renewal over Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, former Reds striker Emile Heskey has told Sports Mole. 17 March 2025 talksport.com The first major question surrounding Thomas Tuchel as England manager has been answered. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is allegedly attracting interest from another Premier League club. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is reportedly targeting a long-awaited return from a hamstring injury in time for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly identified another two potential replacements for head coach Ange Postecoglou. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Robbie Fowler is hopeful Trent Alexander-Arnold will remain at Liverpool this summer. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool allegedly have plans to entertain offers for at least one of their regular attacking players during the summer transfer window. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that the performance of Omar Marmoush against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend has sent a "slight warning" to his out-of-form teammate Phil Foden. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool should be pursuing Newcastle's Alexander Isak, regardless of Mohamed Salah's future at Anfield. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The elusive quadruple that Liverpool fans are still pining for remains out of sight for now, but come the sunshine of May, Arne Slot and his crop will surely be proudly parading their Premier League trophy. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Sergio Ramos' cheeky post on social media proved he is well aware of his reputation for being a red card magnet. 17 March 2025 talksport.com Simon Jordan dubbed Martin Keown a 'clown' during a furious clash over Liverpool and Arsenal's trophy hopes live on talkSPORT. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are likely to at least resolve the contract situations of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in the coming months, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed. 17 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly already decided whether they intend to sign Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho on a permanent basis.