Arouca vs Portimonense Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Arouca vs Portimonense on and what time does it start? Arouca vs Portimonense will take place on Saturday 26th August, 2023 – 15:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Arouca vs Portimonense? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Arouca vs Portimonense on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Arouca vs Portimonense in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
AROUCA
Last season, under Armando Evangelista who is now in charge of Brazilian Serie A side Goias, Arouca overperformed and managing to earn a top six finish, subsequently qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League and they did so by playing a style of football that is not necessarily representative of the Portuguese top-flight.
They have replaced Evangelista with former Santa Clara and Al Faisaly manager Daniel Ramos, who has begun with some entertaining encounter. In the opening league game of the season, they went behind three times against Estoril but, with ten men, they eventually won 4-3 and, again with ten men, then shared a 2-2 draw with Vizela at the weekend. Despite the domestic fun, though, they have lost their UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie to Norwegian side Brann by an aggregate deficit of four goals to three.
PORTIMONENSE
Portimonense could well be one of the favourites for relegation down to the second-tier last season. They collapsed in the second-half of last year and ended up narrowly avoiding finishing in the bottom three after winning just four of their final 22 matches of the season. They collected 44% of their points tally in their opening 20% of matches last season, suggesting their shocking start to this campaign is just a continuation of poor form from last year.
That shocking start began with a defeat to Leixoes on penalties in the second round of the Taca da Liga and they have followed that up with back-to-back defeats to start the Primeira Liga season, conceding nine goals in the process. Firstly they were annihilated 5-0 away at Gil Vicente and they followed that up with a 4-1 loss at home to Boavista, in which they were 3-0 down inside 22 minutes.
THE TEAM NEWS
AROUCA
Arouca are an entertaining watch but they will be without two players this weekend with Benji Michel missing due to injury and Matias Rocha unavailable due to suspension.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): De Arruabarrena; Tiago Esgaio, Opoku, Galovic, Weverson; Sylla, Pedro Santos, David Simao; Jason, Mujica, Gonzalez
UNAVAILABLE: Rocha (Suspended), Michel (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
PORTIMONENSE
Portimonense have a weak squad with few options and there could well be changes made this weekend as they seek to find some sort of formula to stop what is happening on the pitch at the moment.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Vinicius Silvestre; Moura Oliveira, Relvas, Alcobia, Seck; Mauricio, Estrela Moreira, Carlinhos; Rildo, Carrillo, Goncalo Costa
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This isn’t necessarily an overly one-sided game on paper with both sides occupying a very congested middle part of the table in terms of reputation. However, Arouca managed to break from that and finish in the top six last season whilst Portimonense fell towards the bottom end of the table. Arouca haven’t necessarily hit their heights yet but their opposition have continued to badly struggle. Arouca, especially with their home advantage, will expect to inflict further pain on Portimonense and are firm favourites for this one.
TIP: AROUCA TO WIN
