Porto vs Arouca Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Porto vs Arouca on and what time does it start? Porto vs Arouca will take place on Sunday 3rd September, 2023 – 18:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Porto vs Arouca? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Porto vs Arouca on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Porto vs Arouca in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
PORTO
With Sergio Conceicao remaining in the dugout, Porto will be expecting to put up more of a sustained challenge from the off for the Primeira Liga title after relinquishing their crown to Benfica last season. They have been relatively quiet in the summer transfer window but keeping players such as Galeno and Evanilson has been vitally important.
After losing the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira to Benfica before the league campaign started, it has been a very dramatic and bizarre start to the season for Porto. They have defeated fairly poor opposition, Moreirense, Farense and Rio Ave, all by two goals to one and two of those games have seen them come from behind, all three have seen them score late winners with defenders getting the goals. Their victory last weekend at Rio Ave required two goals in second-half stoppage-time.
AROUCA
After finishing in the top six and earning UEFA Europa Conference League qualification last season, Arouca have had a tricky start to the 2023/24 campaign, already being knocked out of that competition by Norwegian Eliteserien side, Brann. In the Primeira, they have also been steady but a little underwhelming under the management of Daniel Ramos.
They began the season with an entertaining 4-3 victory over a revitalised Estoril side but, despite defeat, will have been left a little concerned by the fact they fell behind three times in that game. Since then, they have shared two draws. One with Vizela, who are expected to struggle, and another with Portimonense, who conceded nine goals in their opening two matches of the season.
THE TEAM NEWS
PORTO
Sergio Conceicao has no fresh injury concerns to worry about but the faster that Evanilson can recover and return from injury the better as the Brazilian is a key part of the Porto attack and they have been stumbling through matches without him.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Costa; Joao Mario, Pepe, Marcano, Sanusi; Pepe, Gonzalez, Eustaquio, Galeno; Martinez, Taremi
UNAVAILABLE: Baro (Injured), Evanilson (Injured), Veron (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
AROUCA
Arouca have close to a fully fit and available squad but the visitors will be without American midfielder Benji Michel due to an ACL injury.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): De Arrubarrena; Esgaio, Galovic, Fernandes; Jason, Sylla, Simao, Santos, Quaresma; Gonzalez, Mujica
UNAVAILABLE: Michel (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This is one is likely to be closer than many would anticipate. Whilst on the face of it Porto have begun with three successive victories, the home team have been unconvincing in all three matches and only just scraped results in all three. Arouca finished in the top six last season and whilst they may be a little underwhelmed with their start to the campaign, they can cause issues, especially with their defensive setup. At the Dragao, Porto should still come out on top but they may have to labour to victory.
TIP: PORTO TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
