Preview: Estrela Amadora vs. Arouca - prediction, team news, lineups

Five places separate Estrela Amadora and Arouca in the Primeira Liga table heading into Thursday's game at Estadio Jose Gomes.

Both sides are undefeated in their previous three league games, and extending that run will be desirable for both clubs.

Match preview

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Estrela went into Christmas unbeaten in three league matches, even if only five points were secured from an available nine.

Nevertheless, it was an undoubted improvement from the preceding consecutive losses suffered against Sporting Lisbon (3-2) and Moreirense (1-0), and Sergio Vieira's men go into Thursday's fixture keen to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Despite playing out a goalless encounter in their very last game at Farense, the clean sheet was Estrela's first since October 29 (1-0 win over Famalicao) and their first road shutout since October 8's 1-0 success over Casa Pia.

The Tricolours look for consecutive clean sheets for the first time in two months, aiming to prevent Thursday's opponents from moving level on 16 points, even if five places separate both sides on the log.

A point preserves Estrela's unbeaten run, but Vieira probably desires more as his side hope to climb the table after picking up one victory in five matches.

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As for Arouca, the away side also go into Thursday's encounter on a three-game undefeated run, but they have secured seven points from nine.

Despite sitting in 14th, only one club (Vitoria SC) has accrued as many points as Daniel Sousa's troops in the last three games, and another victory this week could make Arouquenses the stand-alone form team in the Portuguese top division.

It remains to be seen if Arouca pick up the necessary victory, especially as their wretched away form points to a fourth road defeat at Estrela.

While the 4-0 win at Boavista on December 3 began the ongoing run without losing, it was also Arouquenses' first triumph away from home this term, with three losses in succession preceding that resounding victory at the start of the month.

That points to below-par results on their turf, although they can draw confidence from the fact that Estrela do not pull up trees in Amadora, where they have lost four of seven home games (three wins).

Team News

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Bruno Brigido remains out with the muscle injury that has prevented the Estrela goalkeeper from featuring in the competition since September.

That is Vieira's only reported injury worry going into Thursday's game, with the home team likely to set up in a 3-4-3.

The away side have no players out through injury, and they go into gameweek 15 with a healthy squad against Estrela.

Cristo Gonzalez —scorer of a brace against Boavista and Rio Ave — also set up one for Rafa Mujica, who hit a stunning hat-trick in Arouca's 3-0 win over Gil Vicente on December 16, and the pair should lead the visiting side's attack.

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:

Wagner; Santos, Almeida, Shinga; Felipe, Emanuel, Cordeiro, Reis; Kikas, Jaba, Martins

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Arruabarrena; Waverson, Galovic, Montero, Esgaio; Jason, Simao, Eboue, Vitinho; Gonzalez, Mujica

We say: Estrela Amadora 1-1 Arouca

While Estrela have either won or lost every home game this term, Thursday could be the exception, with both sides likely to cancel each other out in gameweek 15's encounter.

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