Arouca vs Sporting Lisbon Predictions

Arouca vs Sporting Lisbon predictions, betting tips and match previews for this Copa do Brasil clash. Sporting Lisbon travel to Arouca on Friday for gameweek five of the Primeira Liga, aiming to extend their perfect start to the season at Estadio Municipal de Arouca. Read on for our free predictions and betting tips.

Primeira Liga | Sep 13, 2024 at 8.15am UK at Estadio Municipal de Arouca

Arouca vs Sporting Lisbon Predictions

Can Sporting Lisbon Maintain Their Perfect Start Against Arouca?

• Sporting Lisbon’s Dominance in Attack
  • Sporting Lisbon have been the most prolific side in the Primeira Liga this season, scoring 16 goals in their first four matches, averaging four goals per game. Their attacking trio of Gyökeres, Goncalves, and Trincão have been particularly lethal, contributing the majority of those goals. With an average of 23.8 total shots per game, Sporting’s ability to create chances makes them a constant threat.
• Arouca’s Defensive Struggles
  • Arouca have conceded five goals in four games this season and only managed one clean sheet. Despite boasting solid possession stats (55.3% average), their defence has been prone to lapses, as evidenced by their 16.3 clearances per game and 12.5 tackles. With key defensive players missing due to injury, Arouca will find it tough to contain Sporting’s attacking threat.
• Sporting’s Efficient Passing Game
  • Sporting’s ability to control possession has been a key factor in their dominance this season. They have an average possession rate of 61.5% and complete 472 accurate passes per game at an impressive 87.8% success rate. Their control in both halves of the pitch allows them to dictate the tempo of matches and overwhelm their opponents with sustained pressure.

Best Bet

As the Primeira Liga heads into gameweek five, all eyes will be on Estadio Municipal de Arouca as Arouca host Sporting Lisbon. The reigning champions are the only side to have won all their matches so far, while the hosts have struggled with consistency and sit near the bottom of the table. Arouca’s recent form has seen them lose three out of their four league games, and with Sporting in fine goalscoring form, it could be a challenging evening for the home side. Nevertheless, Arouca will hope that home advantage, combined with the international break allowing them time to regroup, might enable them to spring a surprise.

Sporting Lisbon come into this fixture brimming with confidence, having just beaten Porto 2-0 before the international break. The visitors have been dominant this season, scoring a league-high 16 goals while only conceding two. Arouca, by contrast, have managed just two goals all season. With both sides aiming for very different goals this term, this clash presents a classic contest between the league’s top and bottom, setting the stage for an intriguing match on Friday.

The prediction that Sporting Lisbon will win and both teams will score seems a strong bet, particularly when analysing the contrasting performances of both sides. Sporting have been in sensational form in front of goal, boasting an average of four goals per game across their first four matches. Viktor Gyökeres has been key to this, scoring seven goals already this season, while teammates Pedro Goncalves and Francisco Trincão have also chipped in with multiple contributions. The ability of these attacking players to find the back of the net regularly means it’s difficult to imagine Sporting not scoring at least once against an Arouca side that have conceded five goals in four games.

Arouca, despite their struggles, have shown an ability to compete, particularly at home. Although they’ve only scored two goals this season, they managed to find the back of the net in both of their meetings with Sporting last term. While their attacking options have been hampered by the departure of Cristo Gonzalez, they still possess enough threat through players like Henrique Araújo, who has already opened his account this season. Furthermore, Arouca’s matches this season have typically been tight affairs, with three of their four games being decided by just a single goal. This suggests that while they may struggle against superior opposition, they are capable of keeping games competitive.

Additionally, Arouca’s ability to win aerial duels (40%) and defend set pieces could allow them to create a few opportunities. Sporting, meanwhile, have been known to concede goals, having already allowed two this season despite their otherwise excellent defensive record. This combination of factors makes it highly plausible that both teams will find the net.

As Gerard Gabasa, a BettingTips4You.com expert, notes: “Sporting Lisbon’s attacking firepower makes them favourites, but Arouca have shown they can be stubborn at home. I expect a Sporting win but don’t be surprised if Arouca manage to nick a goal.” This insight supports the belief that although Sporting are firm favourites, Arouca can still find a way to score.

Correct Score Prediction: Arouca 1-3 Sporting Lisbon

Building on the prediction of Sporting to win and both teams to score, a 3-1 victory for the visitors seems likely. This scoreline aligns with Sporting’s current form and goalscoring prowess while acknowledging Arouca’s ability to remain competitive, especially at home. Sporting have already scored 16 goals this season, averaging four per match, and given Arouca’s struggles in defence, it’s not far-fetched to see them conceding multiple goals once again. A score of 3-1 mirrors their defeat last season against Sporting, which seems a plausible outcome given the current form of both teams.

Sporting’s ability to create an average of 6.3 big chances per game highlights their attacking potency. With Arouca only managing to keep one clean sheet this season, it’s difficult to see them holding out against Sporting’s relentless attack for 90 minutes. However, as mentioned earlier, Arouca’s ability to score in tight games should not be dismissed, and they could find themselves on the scoresheet if Sporting switch off, particularly after a potentially disruptive international break.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Exclusive Tips

Want to have exclusive tips from experts tipsters delivered right into your inbox? Subscribe Now To Our Newsletter. We will never spam, we fully respect your privacy!

Selected Bookmakers Offers