Porto vs Arouca: Preview, Predictions, and Team News

Akash Deep -

Match Preview

FC Porto is set to host Arouca in a crucial Primeira Liga match on Sunday, as they aim to keep pace with league leaders Sporting Lisbon. Porto, managed by Vitor Bruno, trails Sporting Lisbon by three points and is eager to maintain this deficit against an Arouca side that proved troublesome last season.

Despite their recent form, Porto failed to defeat Arouca in their last two meetings, including a 1-1 draw and a surprising 3-2 loss in Aveiro. However, Porto has a strong historical record against Arouca, having secured seven consecutive victories before last season's anomalies.

Team News and Injuries

Porto will be without key players Ivan Marcano and Zaidu Sanusi due to knee injuries, while Fabio Vieira is also unavailable due to a muscle complaint. Samu Omorodion, who scored on his Europa League debut, is expected to continue his scoring form after finding the net in recent matches against Farense and Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Arouca, on the other hand, is dealing with several injuries, including those to Henrique Araujo, Eboue Kouassi, Matias Rocha, and others. This could significantly impact their ability to challenge Porto, especially given the absence of a recognised prolific forward.

Predictions and Odds

Porto is heavily favoured to win this match, with predictions suggesting a 3-0 or 2-0 victory. The team's recent form, including four clean sheets in their last five matches, supports this prediction. Additionally, Brazilian striker Evanilson, who has scored eight league goals this season, is expected to play a crucial role in Porto's attack.

Arouca's recent performance, including a 2-1 win over Portimonense, shows some resilience, but their overall form and injury issues make it challenging for them to secure a positive result against a strong Porto side.

Lineups

Porto's predicted lineup includes Costa in goal, with a defensive line of Mario, Pedro, Perez, and Moura. The midfield is expected to feature Eustaquio, Varela, Pepe, Gonzalez, and Galeno, while Samu Omorodion and Evanilson are likely to lead the attack.

Arouca's lineup is anticipated to include Mantl in goal, with Esgaio, Lamba, Fontan, and Dante in defense. The midfield could feature Fukui, Simao, Rodrigues, Trezza, and Sylla, with Yalcin up front.