SC Farense welcome fellow relegation candidates Arouca to the Algarve on Monday night in the Primeira Liga.
In what will be a first-ever top-flight meeting between the two clubs, both enter the fixture with survival on the agenda, despite still being in the early stages of the season.
Match preview
© Reuters
Farense are in better shape heading into the clash, and they are going along relatively well on their return to the Primeira Liga.
Jose Mota's side gave their supporters a thrilling afternoon when facing Rio Ave last weekend, winning 4-3 in extraordinary circumstances.
Despite taking an early lead, Farense found themselves 2-1 down soon after, and then entering the 89th minute Rio Ave led 3-2.
Two dramatic late goals from Claudio Falcao and Rui Costa turned the tie on its head though, as Farense left with all three points, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
The victory was a much-needed one as Farense were reeling from an embarrassing cup exit at the hands of second-tier strugglers Vilaverdense the week previous.
It was just their opponents' second win of the season, with Vilaverdense's only other coming against amateur side CD Ponte.
Defensive concerns remain for Mota, as they have conceded 10 goals in their last five matches, contributing heavily to three defeats in that time.
Five of those goals came courtesy of Viktor Gyokeres, as Sporting Lisbon inflicted 3-2 and 4-2 wins over Farense in league and cup.
Mota's men enter the game in 13th, four points above their upcoming opponents who currently sit in the relegation playoff spot.
Arouca have suffered an almighty slide down the standings as they are the most out of form side in the division.
After starting the season unbeaten after four games, taking six points, Arouca have lost all five games since.
Daniel Ramos has seen his side score just one goal in that time too, against a 10-man Sporting side who still went on to beat them.
Arouca's only league win of the season remains an opening day victory over Estoril, as a draw at Porto and two cup wins against lower-league opposition have been their only other moments of note.
Along with Sporting, the four other sides to have beaten them during this barren run were Casa Pia, Famalicao, Chaves and Moreirense, sides they must beat if they want to have any chance of survival this season, so fortunes need to change sooner rather than later.
Team News
After picking up an injury last midweek, Cape Verde striker Ze Luis is a doubt for this one, so Bruno Duarte is set to start in attack.
Long-term absentee Jhon Velasquez is the only other absentee, having missed much of 2023 with injury.
Arouca will be without American Benji Michel due to the ACL injury he picked up at the tail-end of last season.
Ignacio de Arruabarrena is set to come back in between the sticks after cup goalkeeper Thiago started in the League Cup clash with Benfica last time out.
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Ricardo Velho; Delgado, Artur Jorge, Goncalo Silva, Joao Talocha; Mattheus, Claudio Falcao, Isidoro; Belloumi, Bruno Duarte, Marco Matias
Arouca possible starting lineup:
De Arruabarrena; Tiago Esgaio, Rafael Fernandes, Montero, Weverson; Eboue, Sylla, David Simao; Gonzalez, Mujica, Trezza
We say: SC Farense 3-1 Arouca
Farense have been involved in some high-scoring encounters of late, and this fixture has produced goals, with 14 in the three previous meetings.
When the two sides met in the second tier in 2018-19, the scores ended 2-2 and 3-3, but with Arouca woefully out of form, they may come up short here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
