Nacional will be looking to make it three back-to-back home wins in 2025 when they go head to head with Arouca in round 20 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Saturday.
The Arouquenses, meanwhile, have failed to taste victory in each of their last four visits to the Estadio da Madeira since September 2013 and will head into the weekend seeking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
© Imago
Nacional continue to struggle for results on their travels as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Sporting Lisbon when the two sides squared off at the Estadio Jose Alvalade last Saturday.
Francisco Trincao netted his seventh league goal of the campaign on the stroke of half time to put Sporting Lisbon in front before substitute Joao Simoes put the result beyond reach with a 90th-minute strike.
With that result, Nacional remain without an away win this season, losing 10 and claiming four draws from their 14 matches across all competitions since gaining promotion from the Segunda Liga last term.
While Tiago Margarido's men have struggled to impose themselves on the road, they now return to the Estadio da Madeira where they have picked up two wins from their two outings this year and are unbeaten in five of their six matches since the start of November.
However, next up is the challenge of an opposing side who are unbeaten in eight of the last 10 meetings between the two teams, picking up four wins and four draws since September 2013.
On the other hand, Arouca continued their push into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings as they held firm to see out a 1-0 victory over Moreirense when the two sides met last Friday.
Spanish midfielder Jason delivered the goods once again as he netted the only goal at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca in the 77th minute to hand the home side all three points.
Arouca are now unbeaten in four back-to-back matches, claiming two wins and two draws, and are unbeaten in five of their most recent six outings, having failed to win the seven games preceding this run.
This fine run of results has seen Vasco Seabra's men surge from the doldrums as they now sit 14th in the Primeira Liga table, level on 19 points with Saturday's hosts and two points above Estrela Amadora in the relegation playoff spot.
While Arouca will be looking to pull clear of the danger zone, they will need to be at their best at the Estadio da Madeira as they have failed to win all but one of their seven away matches since late September.
Team News
© Imago
Nacional remain without the services of Spanish midfielder Miguel Baeza, who has been sidelined since October through a muscle injury.
Other than that, the home side head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Margarido the luxury of a relatively full strength squad at his disposal.
As for Arouca, Kouassi Eboue is yet to feature this season after sustaining a severe muscle problem in May while 32-year-old Nino Galovic has been sidelined since August through a knee injury.
Pedro Moreira also continues his long road to full fitness after suffering a severe injury back in April 2024 and the 35-year-old midfielder will play no part in this weekend's clash.
Jason has been on song for Arouca in recent weeks and the 30-year-old midfielder, who has four goals and one assist in his last seven matches, will be one to keep an eye on.
Nacional possible starting lineup:
Franca; Garcia, Ze Vítor, Ulisses, Gomes; Costa, Dias; Labidi, Esteves, Teodora; Isaac
Arouca possible starting lineup:
Mantl; Esgaio, Lamba, Fontan, Weverson; Simao, Fukui; Trezza, Gozalbez, Sylla; Jason
We say: Nacional 1-1 Arouca
After stumbling into the campaign, Arouca have turned things around of late and will be looking to keep the ball rolling this weekend. However, Nacional have proven tough to crack on home turf and we predict they will do just enough to force a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
