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

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:

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Arouca Primeira Liga form:

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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.

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