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Arouca
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 15
Jan 7, 2023 at 3.30pm UK
Estádio Municipal de Arouca
Estoril

Arouca
2 - 0
Estoril

Dabbagh (28', 64')
Ruiz (74'), Quaresma (90+1')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Lea Siliki (90+2')

Preview: Arouca vs. Estoril Praia - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Primeira Liga clash between Arouca and Estoril Praia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Arouca and Estoril Praia are both seeking to start the new year off on a positive note when they lock horns in Primeira Liga action on Saturday at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca.

The hosts come into this one fresh off the back of a 5-1 thumping from Porto, while the visitors are on a nine-match winless run in all competitions.


Match preview

Arouca's Andre Bukia in action with Sporting Lisbon's Matheus Reis on March 5, 2022© Reuters

Arouca continued their fairytale run in the Taca da Liga by seeing off Moreirense 2-1 at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on December 22, although they were brought firmly back down to earth last time out against Porto in the league.

Armando Evangelista's men were put to the sword by the reigning champions, after Otavio gave the home side the lead in the opening minute, before Mehdi Taremi scored a fine hat-trick to ensure that there was no way back for the visitors.

Jerome Opoku put one past his own goalkeeper to rub salt into the wounds, although Bruno Marques did grab a late consolation goal for Arouca.

With 19 points from 14 matches, Evangelista's side are currently 10th in the Primeira Liga table but could potentially rise as high as seventh place if they manage to claim all three points on Saturday.

Estoril Praia players huddle before the match on January 8, 2022© Reuters

Meanwhile, Estoril Praia will finally return to league proceedings this weekend after their match against Boavista on December 29 was postponed due to a lighting problem in the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota. As a result, Nelson Verissimo's side have not been in action since their 1-0 loss to Famalicao in the Taca da Liga on December 15.

That defeat signified the end of Estoril Praia's Taca da Liga campaign as they finished rock-bottom in Group H after picking up two points from their four matches.

Verissimo's side will now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they are currently on a four-game winless run, claiming one draw and losing three matches since October's 1-0 victory at Gil Vicente.

The Canarinhos sit three points behind their opponents on Saturday in 13th, and they may be quietly confident of getting a positive result, as they have the sixth-best away record in the division.

Arouca Primeira Liga form:


Arouca form (all competitions):


Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:


Estoril Praia form (all competitions):



Team News

Estoril Praia's Rosier Loreintz in action on September 19, 2021© Reuters

The hosts will have to cope without 22-year-old striker Vitinho, who has been out of action since October through a severe injury.

Rafa Mujica, who was not involved in the defeat against Porto, has scored nine goals in 18 appearances across all competitions for Arouca and should come back into the side here.

As for the visitors, Verissimo is expected to be without Joao Gamboa after the midfielder picked up a muscle injury last time out.

Estriol Praia will also take to the pitch without the services of Brazilian forward Erison, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card in the cup game against Famalicao. His suspension will carry over into this match after the clash against Boavista was postponed.

Arouca possible starting lineup:
Arruabarrena; Milovanov, Basso, Opoku, Quaresma; Bukia, Ruiz, Soro, Simao, Sylla; Mujica

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Santos, Mexer, Vital, Araujo; Rosier, Ndiaye; Marques, Carvalho, Tavares; Martins


SM words green background

We say: Arouca 1-0 Estoril Praia

Despite the heavy defeat last week to Porto, we are siding with the hosts in this one.

Arouca have won three of their last five games across all competitions, so they come into this match in better form than their opponents.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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Written by
Jonny Webb

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Game History

How you voted: Arouca vs Estoril

Arouca
80.0%
Draw
20.0%
Estoril Praia
0.0%
5
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Porto attacker Otavio pictured on October 26, 2022
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Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon1311024083233
2Benfica1210113172431
3Porto1310123192231
4Santa ClaraSanta Clara139041612427
5Braga137332213924
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes136341612421
7MoreirenseMoreirense136251918120
8FamalicaoFamalicao134631412218
9Rio AveRio Ave134361323-1015
10Casa Pia133551117-614
11Estoril PraiaEstoril133551219-714
12Gil Vicente133461624-813
13Estrela Amadora133371222-1012
14BoavistaBoavista13256816-811
15AVS132561021-1111
16Nacional12237717-109
17SC FarenseFarense13238719-129
18AroucaArouca13229723-168


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