FC Porto vs Arouca Match Analysis and Prediction

FC Porto vs Arouca Match Analysis & Prediction

FC Porto

29/12/2022 12:15 am

Arouca

by Vincent

11 months ago 0 176

DISCLAIMER: All odds are quoted at time the prediction went live. Check the sports book for updated odds

Following a lengthy break for the first-ever winter World Cup, FC Porto and Arouca return to action in the Portuguese Primeira Liga when they meet at the Estadio Do Dragao on Thursday.

Handicap Arouca (+2.5): Yes

Best Odds: 1.67

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Both sides head into the midweek fixture fresh off the back of reaching the semi-finals of the Taca da Liga and will be looking to pick up right where they left off last time out.

Porto continued their charge for a first-ever Taca da Liga title, as they claimed a 2-0 victory over 10-man Gil Vicente in their quarter-final tie on December 15.

That followed an unbeaten campaign in the group stages, where they played out a 2-2 draw with Mafra in the group opener on November 25 before securing successive victories over Chaves and Vizela to seal top spot in Group A.

Sergio Conceicao’s side played their last league match on November 12, when they claimed a 4-1 victory over Boavista at the Estadio do Bessa through goals from Ivan Marcano, Stephen Eustaquio and a brace from Galeno.

Meanwhile, Arouca continued their fine run in the Taca da Liga as they completed an impressive second-half comeback to beat Moreirense 2-1 at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas last Thursday.

Armando Evangelista’s side also enjoyed an unbeaten group-stage run, as they picked up two wins and two draws to collect eight points and finish top of Group G after beating runners-up Feirense on goal difference.

Arouca now turn their focus to the Primeira Liga, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Rio Ave at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca in their final game before the World Cup break on November 12.

Having picked up 19 points from 13 matches, Arouca are currently 10th in the Primeira Liga table, but could potentially rise as high as seventh place with all three points on Thursday.

FC Porto vs. Arouca Head to head

Porto have dominated in the previous 10 meetings between these two teams, claiming nine points while Arouca have won just once. Porto have scored 29 goals and conceded just five in the process.

07/02/2016

Porto

1

Arouca

2

Primeira Liga
22/10/2016

Porto

3

Arouca

0

Primeira Liga
10/03/2017

Arouca

0

Porto

4

Primeira Liga
28/08/2021

Porto

3

Arouca

0

Primeira Liga
06/02/2022

Arouca

0

Porto

2

Primeira Liga

FC Porto Team News

Porto will have to make do without the services of midfielder Eustaquio, who sustained a severe muscle injury while in action for Canada in their World Cup contest against Croatia on November 27.

Zaidu Sanusi is also absent as he has been sidelined since picking up a muscle injury in November’s Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid.

FC Porto's Last 5 Matches

12/11/2022

Boavista

1

Porto

4

Primeira Liga
25/11/2022

Porto

2

Mafra

2

Taca da Liga
08/12/2022

Chaves

0

Porto

2

Taca da Liga
16/12/2022

Porto

4

Vizela

0

Taca da Liga
21/12/2022

Porto

2

Gil Vicente

0

Taca da Liga

Arouca Team News

Arouca will take to the pitch without 22-year-old striker Vitinho, who has been out of action since October through a severe injury.

Mujica has been in impressive for for the visitors in recent weeks and the striker, who has been involved in seven goals in his last seven appearances across all competitions, should lead the attack once again.