Benfica get their 2023-24 Taca da Liga campaign underway on Tuesday when they go head to head with Arouca at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca.
The Arouquenses will head into the cup tie desperate to get one over the visiting side, having lost each of their previous eight meetings since August 2015.
Match preview
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Arouca were sent crashing back to earth on Saturday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Moreirense when the sides squared off in the Primeira Liga.
Despite being on the front foot for most of the game, Arouca were made to pay for their lack of sting in the final third as Marcelo's first-half strike saw Os verdes e brancos claim all three points at the Arouca at the Estadio Municipal.
Prior to that, the Arouquenses booked their spot in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal on October 21, when they beat Felgueiras 3-1 at the Estadio Dr. Machado de Matos courtesy of goals from Alfonso Trezza, Kouassi Eboue and Rafa Mujica.
With Saturday's result, Arouca have now lost five league games on the spin and are without a win in each of their last eight since scraping a 4-3 victory over Estoril Praia on August 13.
Daniel Ramos's side, who have picked up six points from their first nine matches to sit 15th in the Primeira Liga table, now turn their attention to the Taca da Liga, where they picked up a 2-1 victory over AVS in the Group B opener on September 26.
While Arouca will look to return to winning ways and maintain their perfect cup record on Tuesday, they face the daunting challenge of taking on an opposing side who have won each of their last eight encounters since a 1-0 loss in August 2015.
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Benfica, on the other hand, were denied an eighth Primeira Liga win on the bounce at the weekend when they were held to a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw by Casa Pia at the Estadio da Luz.
Portuguese forward Joao Mario grabbed his first league goal of the season to put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half time but Os Gansos upped the ante in the second half, with Gaizka Larrazabal levelling matters in the 81st minute.
This followed a 1-0 loss at the hands of Spanish side Real Sociedad in the Champions League on October 24, a result which leaves Benfica rooted to the bottom of Group D following three defeats in their opening three matches.
As Aguias' recent drop-off in form has been owing to their struggles on home turf, where they have failed to win three of their last four matches — losing twice and picking up one draw — having won their previous six games preceding this run.
Roger Schmidt's men, who are currently level on 22 points with Sporting Lisbon at the top of the Primeira Liga table, head into Tuesday's cup opener on a run of five wins in their last six away games, with a 1-0 Champions League defeat against Inter Milan on October 3 being the exception.
Team News
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Arouca will take to the pitch without American striker Benji Michel, who had been sidelined since picking up an ACL injury in May's 1-0 defeat against Porto.
Despite Saturday's result, we expect Ramos to name a similar starting side here, with Tiago Esgaio, Rafael Fernandes, Francisco Montero and Weverson forming the back four once again.
Mujica, who has two goals in his last three matches, should lead the Arouquenses attack once again, while Eboue Kouassi and David Simao should team up in the centre of the park.
As for Benfica, Schmidt will be unable to call upon the services of World Cup winner Angel Di Maria, who has missed the last four matches through a muscle problem.
Mario opened his league account for the season with his strike against Casa Pia and should retain his role in the As Aguias' front three, alongside David Neres and Arthur Cabral.
Arouca possible starting lineup:
Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Fernandes, Montero, Weverson; Kouassi, Gonzalez; Sylla, Simao, Trezza; Mujica
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Aursnes, Silva, Otamendi, Bernat; Luis, Neves, Silva; Mario, Neres, Cabral
We say: Arouca 0-2 Benfica
Benfica will be licking their lips as they take on an out-of-sorts Arouca side, who have lost each of their previous eight meetings across all competitions. Given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, we fancy As Aguias to come away with all three points at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
