Arouca Vs Rio Ave

The final match of Primeira Liga's 21st round will witness Arouca hosting Rio Ave at Estadio Municipal de Arouca on Monday night.

Arouca, currently positioned 13th in the league standings, will be determined to avenge their narrow 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture played in September. With an improved form in recent weeks, the home side will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak since the turn of the year.

Since the start of 2025, Arouca have been in formidable form, remaining undefeated in their first four fixtures of the New Year. Their latest encounter saw them secure a hard-fought 2-1 triumph over Nacional in an away fixture last weekend.

The match began positively for Arouca, with Pablo Gozalbez breaking the deadlock against Nacional, registering his first goal of the season. The visitors extended their lead when Henrique Araujo converted from the penalty spot 20 minutes later, putting them in a commanding position. However, the most commendable aspect of Arouca's performance was their resilience, as they managed to hold their ground and fend off Nacional’s advances despite being reduced to ten men for the final 30 minutes of the match.

This victory marked a notable turnaround for Vasco Seabra’s squad, who had struggled through the latter part of 2024. Before the recent upturn in form, Arouca had endured a challenging period in which they secured only one win from ten league fixtures, drawing three and suffering six defeats. However, their recent performances have been a stark contrast to their earlier struggles, with three wins and one draw in four matches since the New Year commenced.

Their home record has also seen a marked improvement. They are unbeaten in their last three league matches at Estadio Municipal de Arouca, earning seven points in that time—a tally that exceeds the four points they managed in their first six home fixtures of the season. This resurgence includes two victories flanking a 1-1 draw against Gil Vicente. Should Arouca claim another win in this encounter, it would be a landmark moment for Seabra, marking the first time he has overseen three consecutive victories across all competitions since his appointment. Additionally, it would be the first instance of Arouca achieving three successive wins since March-April of the previous year.

On the other hand, Rio Ave approach this contest with momentum of their own, having secured a place in the semi-finals of this season’s Taca de Portugal following a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over lower-tier side Sao Joao de Ver in midweek.

Their recent performances have been solid, as they remain unbeaten in their last three outings across all competitions. In their last eight matches, their only loss came against one of the league’s powerhouses, Sporting Lisbon, in mid-January.

The influence of manager Petit has been evident since he took over at the start of November. Under his guidance, Rio Ave have amassed 15 points in 10 matches, a significant improvement from the five points they collected in the previous 10 games under former coach Luis Freire.

Their away performances have also seen a noticeable enhancement under Petit's leadership. In their last five away matches in the Primeira Liga, they have secured seven points, with two wins and a draw. In contrast, their performances on the road under Freire were dismal, with five consecutive away defeats, including four matches where they failed to find the net.

This upcoming clash presents an intriguing battle between two sides that have rediscovered their form in recent weeks. Arouca, buoyed by their improved home record and newfound resilience, will be keen to continue their ascent up the table. Meanwhile, Rio Ave will look to build on their cup success and maintain their solid league run as they push toward the upper half of the standings.

The stakes are high for both teams. Arouca have the chance to secure three consecutive wins for the first time in nearly a year, further solidifying their place in the mid-table. Conversely, Rio Ave will aim to continue their revival under Petit and enhance their standing with another positive result away from home.

Ultimately, with both sides finding their rhythm and playing with newfound confidence, this match has all the ingredients for an engaging and fiercely contested battle.