Vizela vs Arouca Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Vizela vs Arouca on and what time does it start? Vizela vs Arouca will take place on Sunday 20th August, 2023 – 20:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Vizela vs Arouca? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Vizela vs Arouca 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 Vizela vs Arouca in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
VIZELA
Vizela finished eleventh in the 2023/24 Primeira Liga season under the management of Alvaro Pacheco. However, Pacheco has now departed the club for Estoril and that has left them in the lurch somewhat but they have replaced him with former Riteriai boss Pablo Villar, who has limited experience in top-flight leagues in Europe.
The home team are expected to struggle this season and will be anticipating a battle against the drop. However, they come into this on the back of a battling display away to Sporting CP. Sporting went 2-0 up early on before Vizela scored two quickfire goals in the second-half to draw level but Sporting did eventually pinch all three points in second-half stoppage-time.
AROUCA
Arouca come into this on the back of a 3-1 defeat away to Brann in Norway in the second-leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie. Like Vitoria Guimaraes, they are another Portugues side to exit the early rounds of European competition having lost that tie by six goals to five on aggregate, following a 2-1 win in the first-leg.
On the opening day of the season, though, they showed no real signs of being tired or feeling the effects of their European tie with Brann. They face Estoril and went a goal down early on but had the scores level at half-time. After going a further two times in the match, Arouca managed, with ten men for over 50 minutes, to steal all three points with a winner from Pedro Santos deep into second-half stoppage-time.
THE TEAM NEWS
VIZELA
Pablo Villar has no fresh injury concerns or suspensions so, after a battling performance against a strong Sporting CP side, Vizela will be expected to name an unchanged eleven for this clash against Arouca.
PREDICTED XI (X-X-X-X): PREDICTED XI HERE
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
AROUCA
Under the management of Daniel Ramos, Arouca’s preferred formation is a double six 4-4-2 system and that is expected to remain the same for this one but they are without Eboue Kouassi due to his red card last weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): de Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Galovic, Opoku, Quaresma; Jason, Busquets, Simao, Sylla; Mujica, Gonzalez
UNAVAILABLE: Kouassi (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Both of these sides enjoyed thrilling starts to the season. Portuguese Primeira Liga football has often been very dull and, especially in the last 20 years, has focused on being reactive and stifling the opposition. However, with newly-promoted sides such as Moreirense and Farense getting promoted and seeking to play on the front foot, as well as Benfica and Braga being genuinely progressive in their style up at the top, perhaps Vizela and Arouca are two sides that we are going to see open up a bit more. Arouca’s three matches in all competitions so far this season, for example, have consisted of 14 goals with both teams scoring in all three games. Another entertaining encounter could well be in store for this one.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
