Belenenses vs Arouca Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

Belenenses, a Lisbon based side who finished 9th in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season, have continued this season exactly where they left off. The hosts have taken two wins, two draws and a defeat from their opening five matches, results which see them once again placed 9th overall. Belenenses’ disappointing opening match, which saw them lose 2-0 on the road to Vitoria Setubal, a side who finished just one point above the relegation zone last season, has quickly been forgotten as the hosts come into this unbeaten in four matches.

Arouca enjoyed their best season ever finish in the Primeira Liga last term after just three seasons in the top flight. Arouca’s eventual 5th place finish, which saw them qualify for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in the club’s history, was a significant improvement on their prior 12th and 16th placed finishes. However, a swift knock out of the Europa League against Olympiakos set the tone for this season and the visitors come into this with four defeats from their opening five fixtures (W1 L4). Arouca’s poor form and lack of confidence might show that the magic of last season’s “inform underdogs” is finally wearing off.

Belenenses are the bookies’ favourites here at 5/4 with bet365, which is certainly a decent bet, but we find both teams to score to be a safer bet for a few reasons: Belenenses have kept just one clean sheet over their last six home matches and both teams have scored in four of these. Also, both teams have scored in both of Belenenses’ most recent home wins (two 2-1 wins). Meanwhile, though Arouca aren’t in top form overall, they did manage to score a consolation against giants Benfica a few weeks back and have scored in two of their last four competitive away matches.

As such, both teams to score at 19/20 and Belenenses to Win 2-1 at 17/2 are our choice bets for this match.