Still licking their wounds from last week's Taca da Liga exit, Arouca play host to Benfica at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca in round 18 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Tuesday.
As Aguias, who will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the league table to 10 points, head into the midweek clash unbeaten in five consecutive games and will look to keep the ball rolling.
Match preview
© Reuters
Arouca's fairytale run in the Taca da Liga came to an end last Tuesday when they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of four-time champions Sporting Lisbon.
Picking up eight points from 12 in the group stages to finish top of Group G, Armando Evangelista's men fought from behind to grind out a 2-1 victory away to Moreirense in their quarter-final clash on December 22.
Despite their valiant display in last week's clash against Sporting, they were undone by experienced forward Paulinho, who scored either side of Oday Dabbagh's 58th-minute penalty to fire the Leoes into the Cup final.
Arouca now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga where they are unbeaten since the turn of the year, claiming one draw and two wins, with the most recent being a 4-0 thrashing of Portimonense on January 20.
With 26 points from 17 matches, the Arouquenses are currently sixth in the Primeira Liga standings, but could leapfrog fifth-placed Casa Pia and move into the Europa Conference League qualification places with all three points on Tuesday.
Next up for Arouca is a rampant Benfica side who have won each of the most recent seven meetings between the teams and are unbeaten in 13 of their past 14 encounters since October 2010.
© Reuters
Roger Schmidt's men continued their charge for a first league title since the 2018-2019 campaign as they edged out rock-bottom Pacos de Ferreira 2-0 when the sides squared off last Thursday.
Benfica raced to a two-goal lead courtesy of strikes from Alejandro Grimaldo and Joao Mario inside the opening quarter of an hour before doing just enough to see out the win at the Estadio Capital do Movel.
As Aguias are now unbeaten in five games on the trot across all competitions, claiming one draw and four wins, including a 2-0 victory over Segunda Liga side Varzim in the last 16 of the Taca de Portugal on January 10.
Benfica have picked up 15 wins, two draws and lost one of their 18 matches this season to collect 47 points and sit top of the Primeira Liga table with a seven-point cushion over second-placed Braga.
However, Sunday's game sees them journey to the Estadio Municipal de Arouca, where Arouca have won four of their last five league matches, scoring 11 goals and conceding twice since the start of October.
Team News
© Reuters
Arouca will be without the services of 22-year-old striker Vitinho, who has been out of action since picking up a severe injury in October's game against Maritimo.
He is joined on the club's injury table by Venezuelan defender Sema Velazquez, who has missed each of the last 10 matches through a knee problem.
Rafa Silva, who has six goals and two assists to his name this season, is currently recuperating from a muscle injury and will play no part in Tuesday's game.
Strike partner Goncalo Ramos was forced off injured against Pacos de Ferreira last time out and the Portugal international is a major doubt for the trip to the Estadio Municipal de Arouca.
Should he fail to shake off his injury, Petar Musa will push for a starting role, forming an attacking quartet with Mario, Fredrik Aursnes and new signing Goncalo Guedes.
Arouca possible starting lineup:
Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Basso, Galovic, Correia; Soro, Arsenio; Sylla, Ruiz, Antony; Dabbagh
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Bah, Silva, Morato, Grimaldo; Luis, Fernandez; Mario, Aursnes,, Guedes; Musa
We say: Arouca 0-2 Benfica
Currently firing on all cylinders, Benfica have stamped their name as firm title contenders and will be looking to maintain their fine run of form. Looking at past results in this fixture, we are backing As Aguias to come out on top once again and end Arouca's unbeaten run in the league.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
