Arouca will aim to return to winning ways when they host Famalicao at the Estadio Municipal in round 28 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday evening.
The hosts are without a victory in consecutive matches, leaving them 13th in the standings with 29 points, six adrift of their visitors.
Match preview
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Arouca put up a fight against Braga last weekend but fell short in their quest for points, losing 2-1 at Pedreira, as Alfonso Trezza‘s 68th-minute strike served only as a consolation for Vasco Seabra‘s side, who had already conceded twice in the first half.
That result means the Wolves have taken seven points from their last seven outings, managing just one win, four draws and two defeats — a noticeable drop-off considering they had collected 11 from the previous five.
Arouca will look to reignite their season with a win, particularly as they welcome a Famalicao side they have defeated in all five previous encounters at the Municipal.
However, their recent home form has been concerning, having failed to claim victory in their last four such matches, largely due to their inability to see out games.
Aside from a 2-0 defeat to Porto, the Wolves let leads slip late on in the remaining three winless fixtures on their own turf — an issue Seabra must urgently address before Friday’s clash.
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Famalicao, on the other hand, delivered the perfect response to their loss against Sporting Lisbon by thrashing AVS 4-1 last weekend, keeping their ambitions for a top-five finish alive.
As a result, Hugo Oliveira‘s men have alternated between wins and losses in their last five matches, while a broader look at their form shows they recorded victories in five of their last eight after enduring a nine-game winless run.
Vila Nova sit eighth with 37 points from nine triumphs, 10 draws and eight defeats, leaving them nine points behind fifth-placed Santa Clara.
Their resurgence has been built on defensive solidity, having kept six clean sheets in their last nine matches, though Fama have struggled in that department lately, failing to keep opponents out in three of their most recent four outings.
Two of those games ended in away defeats, a trend that could spell trouble as they face an Arouca side that has found the net in 14 of their last 15 matches.
Team News
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Seabra deployed a 4-4-2 against Braga, but with Arouca’s midfield looking vulnerable in David Simao‘s absence, an adjustment to a 4-2-3-1 could be on the cards, with Mamadou Loumand or Pedro Moreira likely to partner Taichi Fukui in a double pivot.
Henrique Araujo, who came off the bench to assist Trezza last time out, has strengthened his case for a starting spot in attack.
Tiago Esgaio limped off in that match and is doubtful for Saturday, potentially opening the door for Alex Pinto at right back, while Dylan Nandin, Pablo Gozalbez and Nino Galovic remain sidelined.
Barring long-term absentee Ivan Zlobin, the visitors will have a full squad available for the trip to Arouca, and Oliveira may be tempted to stick with the same starting XI that secured victory against AVS.
Simon Elisor got the nod over Vaclav Sejk up front and made the most of it by getting on the scoresheet, which could see him lead the line once again.
Mathias De Amorim and Van de Looi impressed in midfield with a solid partnership, meaning Mirko Topic is likely to remain on the bench.
Arouca possible starting lineup:
Mantl; Waverson, Fontan, Lamba, Pinto; Fukui, Loumand; Sylla, Jason, Trezza; Araujo
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Ceravic; Pinheiro, Haas, Mihaj, Soares; Amorim, Looi; Sorriso, Sa, Aranda; Elisor
We say: Arouca 1-1 Famalicao
Arouca’s struggles to hold onto leads at home, combined with Famalicao’s inconsistent away form, suggest a closely contested encounter.
A low-scoring draw is on the cards, though both teams should find the net considering their record in the final third, with the visitors netting in their last four trips.
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