Preview: Arouca vs. Estrela Amadora

Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Primeira Liga clash between Arouca and Estrela Amadora, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two sides in highly contrasting forms go head to head in round 32 of the 2023-24 Primeira Liga season as Arouca welcome Estrela Amadora to Estadio Municipal de Arouca.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last five outings, while the visitors head into this weekend’s encounter on a run of six matches without a victory.

Match preview
© Reuters

Arouca had to make do with a point for the second game running as they played out a 2-2 stalemate against Gil Vicente at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Friday.

A second-half double from Cristo put Daniel Sousa’s men in pole position before stoppage-time strikes from Tidjany Toure and Jonathan Buatu forced a share of the spoils.

Consequently, the Arouquenses remain seventh in the Primeira Liga table, a whopping 17 points shy of the last European spot currently occupied by Braga.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who suffered a comprehensive 4-1 loss in the only previous edition of this fixture back in December.

Having come out on top in five of their last six home matches, Sunday’s hosts will back themselves to secure another three points in front of what is sure to be an expectant home crowd.

Estrela Amadora were on the receiving end of a 3-0 thrashing against SC Farense in Monday’s meeting between the sides at Estadio Jose Gomes.

Sergio Vieira’s men fell behind to Bruno Duarte’s opener on the stroke of half time after which Mohamed Belloumi and Marco Matias put the result beyond doubt in the second half.

With 29 points picked up from 32 matches this term, The Tricolours sit 15th in the league standings, just one point clear of relegation danger heading into the final three rounds of games.

Winless in their last 12 away outings across all competitions, Sunday’s visitors have work to do at both ends of the pitch as they go in search of what would be a rare triumph on the road.

Arouca Primeira Liga form:

Estrela Amadora Primeira Liga form:

Team News
Estrela’s Alosio Souza will not play any part in this weekend’s clash through a muscle injury which he picked up against Farense last time out.

The away side will also be without the services of Gustavo Henrique who is, however, closing in on a return to action after a long spell on the sidelines.

Off the back of an impressive two-goal haul against Gil Vicente, forward Cristo will be looking to come up with the goods for Arouca once again.

Matias Rocha was handed a rare start in the aforementioned game and the Uruguayan is expected to retain his place in the hosts’ lineup for this one.

Arouca possible starting lineup:
Thiago; Weverson, Montero, Rocha, Milovanov; Simao, Carvalho; Sylla, Cristo, Jason; Mujica

Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Brigido; Gaspar, Lopes, Mansur; Lima, Bucca, Cordeiro, Hevertton; Kikas, Luiz, Jaba

We say: Arouca 2-1 Estrela Amadora
Arouca have been a real force to reckon with on their own patch of late and they are huge favourites to get the job done here. We are backing the hosts to come away with maximum points at the end of the 90 minutes.

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

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