Arouca vs. Sporting CP

When Arouca came back from the summer break, the fans' expectations were understandably high after beating Heracles in the Europa League and nobody expected such a tough campaign domestically. However, Arouca will come into the weekend's hosting of Sporting CP on the back of six straight loses, with Manuel Machado unable to claim a single point and the former youth team coach Jorge Leitão being drafted in.

Just six matches ago things were looking stable in the league, with Arouca in 10th place. However, now currently in 13th a tricky hosting of Sporting CP is on the cards.

Arouca have particularly struggled against the Liga NOS top-6, so far losing to FC Porto (0-3 and 4-0), Benfica (1-2 and 3-0) and Sporting CP (3-0). Arouca did manage to get a point out of Sp. Braga and went a step further with a win against Marítimo. History is on Sporting CP's side going into this one, with the team from Alvalade having tallied nine wins in nine encounters between the two. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Arouca managed just a single shot on target, along with 31% of possession.

The young forward has plenty of potential and has so far netted on five occasions this season. Dangerous on the break with his movement, González has also set up four goals for his teammates.

It is difficult to assess how Jorge Leitão will deal with his new role with the senior team, particularly having taken over following a series of six loses. Not a lot of changes should be expected for the hosting of Sporting CP this weekend.