Sporting CP vs FC Arouca Prediction: The Visitors Are Worth A Goal In This Encounter

Sporting CP will welcome FC Arouca to the Estádio José Alvalade in the eighth round of the Primeira Liga.

Sporting CP will seek to maintain their impressive run against FC Arouca when playing at home, having avoided defeat in seven matches, recording six wins and a draw, and claiming a comfortable win in front of their fans.

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

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Sporting CP

Form: WWWDW

Sporting CP were brought back down to earth on the second match day of the Europa League group stage campaign as they lost 2-1 at home to Italy-based club Atalanta. Although they did manage to pick up their first win away from home against Sturm Graz, handing their opposition a narrow 2-1 defeat, They occupy second place in Group D with 3 points, behind third-placed Sturm Graz.

Their performance in the league has been a sight for sore eyes; they scrapped past ten-man Farense on the road to record a narrow 3-2 victory, and this comes after comfortably seeing off the threat of Rio Ave at home with a 2-0 triumph.

The Lions have now picked up six wins from seven games but are currently on a three-match winning streak since playing out a 1-1 draw against Braga on the road. And it goes without saying they'll be hoping to make it four wins in a row in their last match before the international break, whereafter they will take on Olivais e Moscavide in the third round of the Taca de Portugal.

They currently occupy first place with 19 points in the standings and are one point ahead of second-placed Benfica.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-3

A. Adan; O. Diomande, S. Coates, G. Inacio; G. Catamo, D. Braganca, H. Morita, N. Santos; P. Goncalves, V. Gyoekeres, Paulinho

FC Arouca

Form: LLLDD

Despite the scales tipped in their favor for a home win against Chaves, Arouca found themselves on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat, all likely due to David Simão's sending off in the first half stoppage time.

Before that, they managed to see off the threat of AVS-Futebol SAD in the Taca da Liga group stage opener as they recorded a 2-1 triumph away from home. This has seen them take up first place in Group B, three points ahead of second-placed Benfica, who have yet to play a game.

Beside a three-match losing streak in the league, Arouca have failed to win any of their six matches, along with an additional three draws. Their solitary win this season came against Estoril Praia at home, picking up a not-so-convincing 4-3 win on the first match day, and it goes without saying they'll struggle for a favorable outcome once again against an opposing side they have failed to beat in seven away matches.

They currently occupy 13th place with 6 points in the Primeira Liga table level on points with 12th-placed Farense and two points ahead of the relegation.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

I. De Arruabarrena; B. Milovanov, R. Fernandes, F. Montero, Weverson; T. Esgaio, O. Busquets, M. Sylla; A. Trezza, Cristo González, Jason

Match Facts

• Sporting CP have kept three consecutive clean sheets when playing at home in the Primeira Liga.
• FC Arouca have seen the total go under 2.5 goals in five of their seven matches in the Primeira Liga.
• Sporting CP averages 2.25 goals per game when playing at home and FC Arouca averages 1 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 15 meetings, Sporting CP have won 13 times, FC Arouca have won 1 time, and there have been 1 draw, with the goal difference being 31-9 in favor of Sporting CP.

Expert Betting Tips

Sporting CP are overwhelming favorites with bookmakers to claim maximum points in this clash, and given that they have been keeping a very good ratio of clean sheets this season—three in seven matches—they are expected to do so in this one, though their defense breakdown in a recent match against Farense suggests otherwise.

Arouca have been involved in a few goal-laden affairs this season, with only two of their seven matches this season producing over 2.5 goals, and it's likely they'll be able to keep their opponents in this clash at arm's length, though that won't be enough to avoid defeat.

However, despite that, we do still anticipate the visitors getting their name on the scoreboard, as this has been the case in four of their last six matches in this fixture.

• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 2.10
• Anytime Goalscorer - Pedro Goncalves for 1.72
• W1 & TU 3.5 for 2.16