- Odds: Arouca are a favorite at 2.0, with Nacional 3.87 and the draw 3.66.
- Form: Arouca have won 6 of their last 10 games, Nacional 1 of their last 10.
- Head-to-head: Arouca have won 4 of the last 4 head-to-head meetings.
Visitors arrive in poor shape
FC Arouca should have enough about them to see off Nacional Madeira Funchal at Municipal de Arouca on Sunday and continue their current winning streak. The Arouquenses are 3-1-1 in their last 5 matches, following up their 1-0 home win over Estrela Amadora with a 3-4 extra-time win at CF Os Belenenses in the cup and a 0-1 victory away at FC Alverca.
In contrast, Nacional are on a 5-match losing streak, coming into this game on the back of a 0-4 home defeat to Famalicao, a 3-2 defeat away at Rio Ave and a 1-0 home loss to AD Sanjoanense.
Clash of styles in Arouca
Tactical approaches
This game is a classic game of contrast between the teams. Nacional are built to play a high-line, wide system with a back three and wing-backs, looking to stretch the field, attack quickly through the flanks and cut in on the opposition. Arouca, on the other hand, invite pressure on their box, play with numbers behind the ball and use pace to counter.
Recent form
João Gião's Nacional have been very poor recently, losing all 5 of their recent matches, while Vitor Severino's Arouca have looked compact, pragmatic and difficult to break down.
Arouca’s attack has some bite
Arouca have scored 8 times in their last 4 home games, a total which would be much higher if they had taken some of the chances they've created.
- The Arouquenses have given an outlet up front for Ivan Barbero to run onto, the Argentinean winger has 3 of the 8 goals Arouca have put in the net in their last 5 in all competitions, so he looks the best bet to find the net at any time in this one.
- Njoya Kader has been Nacional's most reliable finisher, with 2 of his 3 goals in all competitions arriving in the last 5 games, but the Alvinegros have failed to win either of their last 2 away games against Arouca.
- Arouca's superiority in the head-to-head record, home advantage and much better form means they should be favored here at 2.0 and there's no value in Nacional at 3.87 or the draw at 3.66.
