The action continues in round 11 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga returns as Famalicao and Arouca go head to head at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Saturday.
While the Arouquenses set out in search of their first league win since beating Farense 1-0 on September 22, the home side will be looking to pick up back-to-back wins for the first time since August.
Match preview
© Imago
Famalicao had to dig deep against Primeira Liga newcomers AVS last Sunday as they fought back from behind to secure a hard-earned 3-2 victory at the Estadio do Desportivo das Aves.
Oscar Oranda and Gil Dias scored quick-fire goals to cancel out Vasco Lopes's early opener, and after Babatunde Akinsola restored parity for AVS in the 30th minute, Dias netted his second of the game in the 77th minute to hand the visitors all three points.
Prior to that, Famalicao were on a six-game winless run in the league, claiming four draws and losing twice since kicking off the season with three back-to-back victories against Benfica, Estrela Amadora and Boavista respectively.
Armando Evangelista's men have picked up four wins and four draws from their 10 games to start the Primeira Liga campaign, claiming 16 points from the first 30 available to sit seventh in the Primeira Liga standings.
Next up for Famalicao is the challenge of an opposing side who are unbeaten in nine of their previous 12 encounters between the two teams, claiming eight wins and one draw since July 2016.
Elsewhere, Arouca continue to struggle for results at the bottom end of the Primeira Liga standings as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Braga when the two sides met at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca last Sunday.
Bruma opened the scoring from the penalty spot to hand Braga a 19th-minute lead, and after Amine El Ouazzani doubled their advantage in the 54th minute, Morlaye Sylla grabbed a 90th-minute consolation for the home side.
Arouca have now failed to taste victory in each of their most recent four league matches, losing three and picking up one draw, and have managed just one win from their seven outings since the start of September.
Vasco Seabra's men have picked up just seven points from their 10 Primeira Liga matches so far to sit 16th in the table, just three points above rock-bottom Farense, but they could move level on points with 10th-placed Gil Vicente with a win this weekend.
However, Arouca have failed to win all but one of their last eight away games in the league — losing four and claiming three draws — with a 1-0 victory over Farense at the Estadio de Sao Luis on September 22 being the exception.
Team News
© Imago
Famalicao remain without the services of Brazilian forward Sorriso, who has been out of action since picking up an injury in the game against Nacional on September 29.
Leonardo Realpe is set to sit out his third straight game since picking up a muscle problem in the Taca de Portugal win over Lagoa on October 10, while Gustavo Sa is a doubt after coming off injured against AVS last weekend.
Arouca, meanwhile, head into the weekend with a lengthy injury list as Kouassi Eboue (muscle), Nino Galovic (knee) and Quaresma Correia (muscle) continue their spells on the sidelines.
Matias Rochas has missed each of the last six games since coming off injured in September's game against Rio Ave while Spanish midfielder Oriol Busquets has been ruled out since May.
Brazilian midfielder Vitinho is also yet to feature this season after sustaining an injury in May's game against Vitoria de Guimaraes and the 24-year-old is out of contention for the Arouquenses.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Zlobin; Calegari, Mihaj, Riccieli, Soares; Van De Looi, Topic; Dias, Youssouf, Rochinha; Aranda
Arouca possible starting lineup:
Mantl; Esgaio, Popovic, Fontan, Dante; Simao, Fukui; Jason, Trezza, Rodrigues; Yalcin
We say: Famalicao 2-1 Arouca
Arouca secured a 3-2 victory when the two sides played out a five-goal thriller back in February and we anticipate another action-packed contest at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao this weekend.
Famalicao showed their mettle against AVS last time and we predict that they will build on that resilient display to secure all three points in front of their home supporters in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
