Arouca will be eager to build on their spirited performance last time out when they welcome Estrela Amadora to Estadio Municipal this weekend for round 30 of the Primeira Liga.
The Wolves came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw away to Benfica on Sunday, in a contest overseen by assistant manager Claudio Botelho from the dugout.
Match preview
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A composed finish from Weverson in the 95th minute sealed a hard-earned point for Arouca, who will be looking to ride the wave of that resilient display at Estadio da Luz as they search for a first victory in over a month when they take to the field against Estrela.
The Wolves are currently on a four-match winless run, with their only triumph in the last nine games coming against AVS on March 8.
That stretch of results has left Arouca 13th in the standings with 30 points from seven wins, nine draws and 13 defeats, placing them seven clear of the relegation playoff spot with five rounds left to navigate.
Despite their recent struggles, the Lobos have rarely fired blanks in the final third, having found the net in all but one of their last 17 matches – a consistent attacking edge that could prove decisive if they manage to tighten things at the back.
However, the Wolves come up against a side they have failed to beat in their last two meetings, including a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture, while the only previous clash between the pair at the Municipal ended goalless.
Arouca have claimed three wins, drawn five and lost six of their 14 Primeira Liga at the ground this season and are aiming to halt a five-game winless run on their own turf that dates back to February 10 against Rio Ave.
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Meanwhile, Estrela faltered in their bid to build momentum in the survival race as they followed up a hard-fought victory at Nacional with a narrow 1-0 loss to SC Farense last weekend – their third loss in four matches.
That setback leaves the Tricolours just three points above the relegation playoff zone, having amassed 26 points from six wins, eight draws and 15 defeats so far.
Goals have been hard to come by for Estrela, who have drawn blanks in seven of their last 12 league matches, a spell that has yielded just two wins – both coming via solitary goals.
Indeed, with only 22 strikes to their name all season, the Tricolours hold the joint third-fewest tally in the division and have the poorest attacking return among sides currently outside the bottom three.
Given their blunt edge in the final third and the hosts' recent scoring consistency, picking up all three points may be a tall order – especially as Arouca have found the net in seven of their last eight home games.
That said, the visitors cannot be completely counted out, considering both of their recent victories have come on the road.
Team News
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Henrique Araujo is back in contention, although, having scored against Benfica, Guven Yalcin is expected to keep his place up front.
After starting on the bench last weekend, Weverson is likely to return to the starting eleven having netted the dramatic equaliser in Lisbon.
The Wolves remain without Nino Galovic, David Simao, Matias Rocha and Tiago Esgaio, who are all ruled out through injury.
For Estrela, full-backs Miguel Lopes and Nilton Varela continue their recovery and remain unavailable for selection.
Otavio may earn a place in the matchday squad due to Lopes's absence, particularly if the manager opts to deploy only natural centre-backs at the heart of defence.
Alan Ruiz, who impressed off the bench last weekend, is pushing for a starting berth out wide, although he is also an option to feature centrally in midfield.
Arouca possible starting lineup:
Mantl; Weverson, Fontan, Popovic, Pinto; Fukui, Santos; Sylla, Jason, Trezza; Yalcin
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Costa; Ferro, Drame, Pantalon; Lima, Keliano, Cordeiro, Travassos; Cabral, Pinho, Ruiz
We say: Arouca 2-0 Estrela Amadora
Arouca should take confidence from last weekend's result, with their attacking rhythm showing signs of promise ahead of a meeting with an Estrela side that has looked blunt in the final third.
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Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
