Preview: Vitoria de Guimaraes vs. Arouca - prediction, team news, lineups

At a time when Guimaraes sit in fifth place in the standings, Arouca are down in 14th, albeit having impressed before the Christmas break.

Match preview

Although they shown their potential with a sixth-placed finish last season, Vitoria fans would not necessarily have anticipated that their side would show such promising longevity this time around.

As well as winning nine of their 16 league games in 2023-24, they have posted just four defeats, two of them coming at the hands of Benfica and Porto.

Since losing 2-1 at home to the latter on November 11, Vitoria have put together a seven-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, winning five times.

Alvaro Pacheco's side had looked on course to lose 1-0 at Braga in their most recent league fixture, only for Joao Mendes to net an outrageous strike from distance in the 97th minute to secure a share of the spoils.

That effort kept Vitoria within five points of the top three, and having also progressed in the Taca de Portugal in midweek, confidence remains high at Estadio D. Afonso Henriques.

Unlike Vitoria, Arouca have failed to build on their exploits from last season, spending much of the campaign looking like prime relegation candidates.

A 10-point haul across four matches was recently required to move Arouca out of trouble for the time being, an impressive 13 goals being scored in the process.

However, a 3-0 defeat was posted at home to Benfica after the winter break before Daniel Sousa's team went down to Vizela in the Taca de Portgual.

Sousa's priority will be moving his team up the table, though, and they head into this gameweek sitting just three points adrift of eighth place.

Vitoria de Guimaraes Primeira Liga form:

L

W

W

D

W

D

Vitoria de Guimaraes form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

D

W

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

L

W

D

W

W

L

Arouca form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

L

L

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Team News

Having scored a wonder goal on his return from injury and come through the cup tie in midweek, Mendes could be named in a creative role for Vitoria.

Nuno Santos may be the player to drop out from the Braga fixture, while Dani Silva will hope to keep his place in midfield after playing 90 minutes in the Taca de Portugal.

Telmo Arcanjo is the only definite injury absentee for Vitoria, while Mikel Villanueva is a doubt.

Minimal changes were made for the cup defeat at Vizela, so it would not come as a surprise to see Sousa make more alterations to his Arouca side for this contest.

David Simao looks likely to return in midfield, but the likes of Alfonso Trezza and Benji Michel could drop down to the substitutes' bench.

Rafael Fernandes, Oriol Busquets and Weverson are all in line to miss out through injury.

Vitoria de Guimaraes possible starting lineup:

Varela; Fernandes, Borevkovic, Ribeiro; Gaspar, T.Silva, Handel, Mangas; J.Silva, A.Silva, Mendes

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Arruabarrena; Milovanov, Galovic, Montero, Esgaio; Jason, Simao, Kouassi, Sylla; Gonzalez, Mujica

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-1 Arouca

Despite their previous humbling by Benfica, Arouca will remain confident of getting some from this contest. However, we cannot ignore the consistency of the home side, who should have enough know-how to come through with a maximum return, potentially by the odd goal in three.

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