Arouca vs Tondela – News and Probable Lineups

Arouca will welcome Tondela to the Estadio Municipal de Arouca on Saturday evening for their final match of the Primeira Liga season.

The away team will be striving to secure a win to boost their chances of escaping the relegation zone, aiming to preserve their place in the top league for the upcoming season, while the home side will be playing solely for their pride.

Match overview

Arouca heads into this fixture with minimal stakes, currently sitting tenth in the league with no threat of relegation and no possibility of qualifying for European competitions.

The home team is aware that a victory might elevate them to ninth place, while missing out on three points could see them slip to 11th, leaving them with little more than pride at stake.

Supporters attending the game will be anxious about their team’s ability to maintain a lead, as Arouca has squandered 20 points this season from winning positions in the Primeira Liga, with only Braga (23) having lost more points from favorable situations.

Arouca has recorded four victories in their last six home games in the Primeira Liga, netting three or more goals in three of these wins, and they remain unbeaten at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca in their last three fixtures since a 1-2 loss to Benfica in March.

The hosts are aiming to secure back-to-back home wins against Tondela after a 2-0 triumph in their last encounter back in October 2021.

Tondela arrives at this match with considerable stakes, knowing that a win could keep them clear of relegation, while a draw might suffice to secure a spot in the relegation play-off.

The visitors are only one point behind Estrela da Amadora, who are placed 15th, thus there is a glimmer of hope that Tondela can claim all three points for safety.

Auriverdes are among the five teams in the Primeira Liga that have amassed more points on the road (15) compared to at home (13) this season, along with Rio Ave, Sporting CP, FC Porto, and Casa Pia.

Tondela has achieved victories in their last two matches, including a 1-0 win against Casa Pia followed by a 2-0 success over Moreirense.

Team News

Arouca will be missing Joao Valido due to an injury, while Jose Fontan will be unavailable for selection as he is suspended.

Ivan Barbero and Alfonso Trezza are expected to play crucial roles for the hosts in their quest for three points, as they lead the team in league scoring with eight goals each.

Tondela has no new injury issues to be concerned about and will likely field the same lineup that secured them three points in their last match.

Pedro Maranhao and Rony Lopes have been essential for the visitors in their relegation battle, with six and three goals, respectively, and they may need to increase their tallies for the team to remain in the top league.

Arouca probable starting XI:

De Arruabarrena; Esgaio, Sanchez, Rocha, Kuipers; Trezza, Van Ee, Gozalbez, Fukui, Djouahra; Barbero

Tondela probable starting XI:

Sources; Manso, Silva, Marques, Conceicao; Aiko, Rodriguez, Felix, Clebinho, Maranhao; Lopes

Tondela faces a critical match ahead and has been performing well as they fight to stay in the league, and they are expected to secure another three points to assist in their struggle as they hope for favorable outcomes elsewhere.