Preview: Portimonense vs. Arouca - prediction, team news, lineups

Portimonense will be aiming to move into the Conference League qualification spot when they play host to Arouca at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, head into the game on a two-game losing streak and will be aiming to end this dry spell and move into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings.

Match preview

© Reuters

Portimonense returned to winning ways in the Primeira Liga last Sunday when they saw off a resilient Moreirense side 1-0 away from home.

In a cagey affair at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, 28-year-old forward Aylton Boa Morte came up trumps for the visitors as he scored the only goal of the game with three minutes remaining in the game.

Prior to that, Portimonense saw their three-game winning run come to an end courtesy of a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Porto where Pedro Sa scored an own goal on the stroke of half time before Vitinha and Otavio netted in a five-minute spell to make sure of the result.

After securing a 14th-placed finish in the league last season, Paulo Sergio's side will be delighted with their performance this term as they are currently sixth in the Primeira Liga standings, one point behind Estoril Praia in the final Conference League qualification spot.

Their fine start to the season has been owing to their defensive sturdiness as they boast the division's fourth-best defensive record with 12 goals conceded in 14 outings.

Their form on the road this campaign has also been integral to their success as they have picked up the fifth most points on enemy territory with 16 points from seven games.

Arouca, on the other hand, failed to find their feet last time out as they suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat at the hands of Vizela at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca.

In a thrilling and action-packed contest, the visitors raced to a four-goal lead inside the opening 38 minutes through a ninth-minute strike from Samu, an own goal from Abdoulaye Ba and a brace from Guilherme Schettine before Andre Bukia pulled one back for the hosts 10 minutes after the interval.

This followed a slender 2-1 loss away to Santa Clara on December 5, when Crysan scored either side of Arsenio Nunes's 45th-minute equaliser to end the visitors' four-game unbeaten run.

This dip in form has seen Armando Evangelista's men drop out of the top half of the table and into 11th place on the log, level on 13 points with Vizela and three points ahead of Santa Clara in the relegation playoff spot.

While Arouca will be looking to quickly arrest this slump in form, they have struggled to get going away from home this season, where they are yet to pick up a win and have managed just three points from seven games.

Team News

Portimonense's only concern on the injury front remains Moroccan defender Achraf Lazar, who picked up an injury in the 2-1 win over Santa Clara back in September.

Following his side's solid defensive performance against Moreirense last time out, Sergio could name an unchanged backline on Saturday.

Should that be the case, we could see a three-man defence of Lucas Possignolo, Pedrao and William Rocha shielding Samuel in goal.

Meanwhile, Arouca will be without the services of 32-year-old midfielder Pedro Moreira, who was hooked off with a 37th-minute injury against Santa Clara on December 5.

Moses Yaw continues his spell on the sidelines with a severe knee problem, while Venezuelan defender Jose Manuel Velazquez will also sit out the game after picking up a knee problem back in September.

Fernando Augusto is also out of contention for the visitors after the Brazilian goalkeeper sustained an injury in the game against Sporting Lisbon back in October.

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Possignolo, Pedrao, Rocha; Cande, Fernandes, Carlinhos, Luquinha; Morte, Aponza, Fabricio

Arouca possible starting lineup:
Haymamba; Thales, Basso, Campi, Quaresma; L Silva, Eboue, Kouassi; Bukia, Nunes, Dabbagh

We say: Portimonense 2-1 Arouca

Portimonense head into the game in resurgent form, claiming four wins from their last five games in all competitions. Arouca, meanwhile, have struggled to get going away from home this season and we anticipate the Portimao-based outfit will make use of their home advantage and come away with all three points.

Previews by email