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Sporting CP set out in search of a fifth consecutive home win this season when they take on Arouca in round six of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Saturday. The Arouquenses will need a strong showing at the Estadio Jose Alvalade if they are to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat, having failed to win their last eight games against Sporting.
Read our Sporting CP vs Arouca preview, prediction and betting tips below, while you can also find more of our expert predictions on today's betting tips page.
Sporting CP vs Arouca key stats
- Sporting CP are on a run of 11 consecutive Primeira Liga games without defeat, picking up seven wins and four draws since a 2-1 loss against rivals Benfica on April 19.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in the last six meetings between Sporting CP and Arouca, with the Leoes netting the opening goal in five of those six matches.
- Arouca are without a win in their last 10 visits to the Estadio Jose Alvalade, losing eight and claiming two draws since August 2013.
Sporting CP vs Arouca: Arouca out to secure first win over the Leoes since October 2022
Sporting CP vs Arouca — Tale of the Tape
| Sporting CP | vs | Arouca |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | Position | 5th |
| 14 | Points | 10 |
| 15 | Goals For | 8 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
| 1st | Home / Away Rank | 8th |
Sporting Lisbon were left spitting feathers last Sunday when an uncharacteristic wasteful display in attack saw them drop two points in a 1-1 stalemate against Famalicao at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.
With nothing to separate the two teams at half time, Luis Javier Suarez broke the deadlock with an 81st-minute penalty to continue his hot scoring streak, but a stoppage-time own goal from Goncalo Inacio helped Famalicao snatch a vital point in front of their home supporters.
Prior to that, Sporting CP picked up a dream start to the new Champions League campaign on September 9, when they secured a 3-1 comeback win over Turkish giants Galatasaray courtesy of goals from Geny Catamo, Suarez and Rodrigo Zalazar.
While Rui Borges’s men have gone unbeaten in their six Primeira Liga matches so far, claiming four wins and two draws, they already find themselves trailing league leaders Porto by four points, with the Dragoes going six wins from six in a perfect start to their title defence.
With Porto setting the pace, the Leoes will be aware that minor setbacks like last weekend’s result at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao could prove costly in their hunt for a first Primeira Liga title since the 2024-25 campaign, having finished runners-up last season with 82 points from 34 games.
Over in the north, Arouca continue to blow hot and cold in the new campaign as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against 10-man Santa Clara at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca last Sunday.
In a game where Sorriso received his marching orders, Gonçalo Paciencia and Jose Tavares found the back of the net to put Santa Clara in a commanding half-time lead, and after Ivan Barbero pulled one back in the 46th minute, the visitors held on to see off a late comeback scare.
Having edged out Vitoria de Guimaraes, Moreirense and Martino to kick off the season with their wins from their opening four games, Arouca have now failed to win back-to-back matches, playing out a goalless draw against Estoril Praia on September 7 before last weekend’s defeat.
Despite their stop-start form, the Arouquenses have picked up 10 points from six matches to sit fifth in the league table, and head coach Vasco Seabra will take pride in his side’s early-season performance as they aim to build on last season’s eighth-placed finish.
However, next up is the daunting challenge of a star-studded Sporting CP side they have failed to get the better of in their last eight meetings, claiming two draws and losing six, including home and away defeats in the league last season.
Seabra’s record against Sporting coach Borges also offers little optimism, with the former failing to win any of their previous six meetings, losing four and settling for a share of the spoils twice.
Sporting CP vs Arouca form guide & betting tips
| Sporting CP | vs | Arouca |
|---|---|---|
WWWWD |
Primeira Liga Form | W L WDL |
| 13 | Points | 7 |
| 3rd | Form Table | 7th |
| 13 | Goals For | 7 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 5 |
WWWWD |
Form (All Comps) | W L WDL |
Whispers’ prediction: Sporting CP 3-1 Arouca
Arouca have enjoyed a decent start to the season, but they have their work cut out against a well-drilled Sporting CP side this weekend, and given the gulf in quality between the two teams, we are backing the hosts to come out on top, with their win currently priced at 17/100 (1.17).
Borges’s men have led at half time in five of their last six games against Arouca, and 1/1 at 61/100 (1.61) is a tempting shout, while over 2.5 goals currently sits at 11/25 (1.44).
Six of Sporting’s last eight matches have seen both teams score, making Sporting to win + BTTS – Yes at 7/4 (2.75) our value bet at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, while a correct score of 3-1 at 10/1 (11.00) is our outside pick.
> Over 2.5 goals – Yes at 11/25 (1.44) | Likelihood: Possible
> HT/FT – 61/100 (1.61) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: 3-1 at 10/1 (11.00) | Likelihood: Outsider