Arouca has had a remarkable start to 2025. In the New Year, they remained undefeated in their first four games. Their latest match, last weekend, ended in a 2 - 1 away victory against Nacional.

Pablo Gozalbez scored the opening goal against Alvinegros, netting his first of the season. Twenty minutes later, Henrique Araujo extended their lead from the penalty spot. However, what stood out most in Arouquenses' performance was their tenacity. Despite playing the last half - hour of the game with one player less, they managed to fend off their opponents.

As a result of this performance, Vasco Seabra's team has won three and drawn one of their four games since the start of the year. This is a substantial improvement compared to their previous form. Between late September and the end of December, they had won only one of their 10 league matches (1 win, 3 draws, 6 losses).

At home, the hosts are unbeaten in their last three league games, including two wins either side of a 1-1 draw against Gil Vicente, with the seven points over the period being three more than they managed across their first six home games this season.

If Lobos can pick up another victory here, it would be the first time Seabra has won three in a row across all competitions since arriving in Arouca, and the first time the team have done so since between March and April last year.

Meanwhile, Rio Ave were the first team to book their place in the last four of this season's Taca de Portugal by pulling off a 2-1 comeback victory over lower league outfit Sao Joao de Ver in midweek.

Vilacondenses are now unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions, while the only defeat they have conceded in their last eight was against high-flyers Sporting Lisbon in the middle of January.

Indeed, Petit has made a significant impact on the performance of Rio Ave since taking up the managerial role at the start of November - since his arrival, the team has earned 15 points in 10 games after only picking up five in the preceding 10 under Luis Freire.

Similarly, the visitors have taken seven points (W2 D1 L2) from their last five away games in the top flight with the Frenchman at the helm, while under his predecessor, the team lost five in a row and failed to score in four of those games.

Boris Popovic was the player sent off for Arouca in the victory over Nacional, and the Cercle Brugge loanee will likely be replaced by Spaniard Jose Fontan in the starting lineup this weekend.

The hosts have two played currently sidelined through injury in centre-back Nino Galovic and veteran midfielder Pedro Moreira, neither of whom is expected to return to the squad in the foreseeable future.

After coming off the bench in the 87th minute in their draw against Porto last weekend, Jonathan Panzo lasted just nine minutes on the field before being sent off, and he will be suspended for this match.

The visitors may also have to make do without the services of Costa Rican international Brandon Aguilera, who sustained an injury at the start of the month that has forced him to sit out the last two matches.

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Mantl; Esgaio, Lamba, Fontan, Weverson; Fukui, Simao; Sylla, Gozalbez, Trezza; Araujo

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Miszta; Vrousai, Petrasso, Ntoi, Richards; Neto, Tiknaz; Bondoso, Pohlmann, Morais; Clayton