Arouca play host to Moreirense on Friday evening knowing that victory will catapult them into the mid-table positions in Primeira Liga.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be delighted to current occupy eighth spot in the table, just five points adrift of the so-called Big Four.

Match preview

There are some clubs in Portuguese football that would not have wanted the action to switch to the Taca de Portugal given their form in the league.

However, Arouca were not one of those teams, with Daniel Ramos's team welcoming the chance to take their attention away from a four-game losing streak in the top flight.

That said, Ramos's side had only suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sporting Lisbon before the international break ahead of facing Felgueiras 1932 on Saturday.

Arouca were far from their best, though, as they had to score twice in the closing minutes to post a 3-1 triumph over the third-tier club.

Last season's fifth-placed side must now focus on trying to move away from the bottom three, with the opportunity being there to progress into 11th position ahead of the remainder of the matchday's fixtures.

After earning promotion back to Primeira Liga for 2023-24, Moreirense's priority remains ensuring that they re-establish themselves among the nation's elite.

As it stands, though, Rui Borges's team sit five points clear of the bottom three and have collected seven points from their most recent three outings.

Their wins during that period came against Farense and Rio Ave respectively, but they succumbed to a surprise 2-1 reverse at Paredes at the weekend.

Being eliminated from the cup at this stage is not what Borges would have had in mind, with the only positive spin being that they can now focus their attention on staying in Primeira Liga.

Team News

With Rafael Fernandes having served his one-match ban in the cup, the Arouca defender is available to line up in what may remain as a back three.

Despite his goal as a substitute versus Sporting, Jason later picked up an injury and missed the cup tie, making him highly doubtful for this contest.

Although he came through 90 minutes versus Felgueiras 1932 and got on the scoresheet, midfielder Eboue Kouassi is likely to be named among the replacements.

Carlos Ponck's early red card versus Paredes makes him suspended for this fixture, with Maracas expected to deputise in his place.

Barring any further selection issues, the players who dropped out for the Taca de Portugal tie should return on Friday.

Arouca possible starting lineup:
Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Fernandes, Montero; Milovanov, Sylla, Busquets, Weverson; Gonzalez, Mujica, Trezza

Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Fabiano, Marcelo, Maracas, Amador; Franco, Ofori; Kodisang, Alan, Camacho; Luis

We say: Arouca 1-1 Moreirense

On a three-match undefeated streak in the league, Moreirense will fancy their chances to extend that to four with maximum points. However, Arouca will have taken belief from having recently pushed Sporting Lisbon, leading us to predict a low-scoring draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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