FC Arouca vs Sporting CP Prediction: The Leões Will Justify Their Role As Favourites On Foreign Territory

FC Arouca will welcome Sporting CP to the Estadio Municipal de Arouca in the 25th round of the Primeira Liga. 

Sporting CP have showcased an impressive performance in the league so far and enter this clash brimming with confidence as they have maintained a 10-match unbeaten run in the league, a run they'll be hoping to extend as they go up against a side they've only lost to once in their past 16 meetings. 

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between FC Arouca vs. Sporting CP, probable lineups, match facts and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

FC Arouca

Form: WWLWW

After enduring a discouraging beginning to the league, where a relegation scuffle seemed inevitable, FC Arouca have since turned a corner, as they have been nothing but impressive, winning six of their last seven league matches, with a solitary 1-0 defeat being an exception.

In their most recent round of the Primeira Liga, FC Arouca rallied from behind to secure an authoritative 5-1 triumph against Chaves away from home, which extended their winning run to two matches. The Estádio Municipal de Arouca has been the backdrop for three consecutive victories, with their most highlighted match being a 3-2 triumph over Portuguese football powerhouse FC Porto. It goes without saying they'll fancy their chances of securing their fourth consecutive win by defeating high-flying Sporting CP. 

With 34 points accumulated in 24 matches played, FC Arouca sits in seventh place in the Primeira Liga standings and is five points adrift of sixth-placed Moreirense

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Bambu, Montero, Weverson; Simao, Santos; Jason, Gonzalez, Sylla; Mujica

Sporting CP

Form: WDWWW

Sporting CP were held to a 1-1 draw against Atalanta at home in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 on Wednesday night. Os Leões still have everything to strive for on Thursday in Bergamo, where they'll be aiming for their sixth victory against the Italian opposition.

Before that, they clinched a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Farense at home to extend their unbeaten run in the league to ten matches (W9 D1), outscoring their opponents 38-11. Away from home, they are currently on a five-match unbeaten run, recording four wins and a solitary draw. They will be eager to maintain that unbeaten run by securing a comfortable win against a side they've managed to avoid defeating in three matches (W2 D1).

With 59 points accumulated in 23 matches played, Sporting CP are perched at the top of the Eredivisie standings and have maintained a one-point advantage over second-placed Benfica. 

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-3

Israel; Diomande, Coates, Quaresma; Reis, Hjulmand, Morita, Santos; Paulinho, Gyokores, Goncalves

Match Facts

• FC Arouca have failed to win their last three games against Sporting CP.
• Sporting CP have lost two of their last eleven away matches in the Primeira Liga.
• FC Arouca averages 1.75 goals per game when playing at home, and Sporting CP averages 2.36 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 16 meetings, FC Arouca have won 1 time, Sporting CP have won 14 times, and there has been 1 draw, with the goal difference being 33-10 in favor of Sporting CP. 

Expert Betting Tips

 FC Arouca has demonstrated their ability to perform well in highly competitive matches, as evidenced by their 3-2 win over FC Porto earlier this year. They'll be hoping to replicate the same result against a high-flying Sporting CP and thwart their chances of solidifying their position at the top. However, a three-match winless run against this opponent suggests that this won't be an easy feat to achieve. 

Sporting CP are favorites with bookmakers to secure maximum points in this clash, and given the gulf in quality and experience between the two sides, there's no doubting that perspective. Considering that eight of Sporting CP's games in the Primeira Liga have seen the total exceed 2.5 goals, we expect the same trend to persist here.

• Total - Over 2.5 for 1.61
• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.80
• Sporting CP & Over 2.5 for 1.83