Preview: Benfica vs. Arouca - prediction, team news, lineups

The Portuguese Primeira Liga returns with a fresh set of fixtures as Benfica welcome Arouca to the Estadio Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Saturday.

The hosts head into the game off the back of a 2-0 victory over Spartak Moscow, while the visitors were beaten 2-0 by Estoril Praia last Saturday.

Match preview

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Benfica continued their charge for a place in the final round of the Champions League qualifiers as they claimed a 2-0 second-leg win over Russian outfit Spartak Moscow.

Having already secured a 2-0 victory in Russia, Jorge Jesus's men put in another show of class to claim a 4-0 aggregate victory through goals from Joao Mario and an own goal from French defender Samuel Gigot.

Back at home, As Aguias kicked off their Primeira Liga campaign with a 2-1 victory over Moreirense courtesy of quick first-half goals from Lucas Verissimo and Luca Waldschmidt in an 11-minute spell.

They head into Saturday's game in fine form, having picked up seven wins and one draw from their eight outings so far this season.

Next up for Benfica is a clash with Arouca, who ended their five-year absence from the Primeira Liga courtesy of a 5-0 aggregate victory over Rio Ave in the playoffs back in May.

Arouquenses were denied a dream start to the league campaign last Saturday as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against fellow newcomers Estoril Praia.

In an action-packed affair at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca, Andre Franco and Ryotaro Meshino scored in either half to hand last year's Segunda Liga winners an opening-day victory.

This followed last Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Rio Ave which condemned Armando Evangelista's men to an early exit from the Taca da Liga.

While Saturday's visitors will look to avoid a third straight defeat, they face an opposing side who are unbeaten in 10 of the last 11 meetings across all competitions.​

Arouca's only victory came back in August 2015 courtesy of a second-minute strike from 32-year-old forward Roberto, but Benfica have picked up four straight wins since then, scoring 10 goals and conceding three.

Team News

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The hosts remain without defender Andre Almeida, who has been sidelined since last October with a long-term knee injury.

Swiss forward Haris Seferovic sustained a 37th-minute muscle injury in last Wednesday's Champions League qualification game against Spartak Moscow and is expected to miss the game.

Diogo Goncalves will also sit out the game as he serves the first of a three-game suspension after receiving his marching orders against Moreirense, while Jan Vertonghen is a major doubt after sustaining a thigh problem last time out.

Arouca, on the other hand, will be without newly signed Brazilian midfielder Antony Santos, who has been out of action since March through injury.​

Meanwhile, Lawrence Ofori is expected to slot right into the centre of the park, having returned for his second consecutive season-long loan spell from parent club Famalicao.

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Vertonghen, Otamendi, Verissimo; Grimaldo, Weigl, Mario, Gilberto; Pizzi, Silva, Ramos

Arouca possible starting lineup:
Braga; Thales, Aloe, Velazquez, Joel; Silva, Moreira; Bukia, Ofori, Nunes; Silva

We say: Benfica 3-0 Arouca

Benfica have begun their 2021-22 campaign on the front foot, picking up three wins from three competitive outings.

We expect them to keep the juggernaut rolling and claim a comfortable win over Arouca as they boast a significantly stronger and more experienced squad.