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Arouca and reigning champions Sporting will square off in the Taca da Liga semifinals at the Estadio Municipal de Leiria – Dr. Magalhaes Pessoa on Tuesday (January 24).
The hosts have never qualified for the final before. Arouca secured their place in the semifinals thanks to a 2-1 win at Moreirense in the quarterfinals in December. Second-half goals from Tiago Esgaio and Rafa Mújica helped them overturn a one-goal deficit. Sporting, meanwhile, have enjoyed a 100% record in the competition, scoring 18 unanswered goals in four games.
Both teams returned to winning ways in the Primeira Liga on Friday. Arounca beat Portimonense 4-0, while Sporting secured a 2-1 home win over Vizela, thanks to second-half goals from Pedro Goncalves and Pedro Porro.
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Arouca vs Sporting Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have locked horns 13 times across competitions and all meetings have produced conclusive results.
- Sporting lead 12-1, with that win for Arouca coming in the league. They have met twice in Taca da Liga, with Sporting winning 1-0 on each occasion.
- Three of their last five meetings ave produced under 2.5 goals.
- Arouca have kept clean sheets in two of their last four games across competitions, while Sporting have kept clean sheets in five of their last eight.
- Arouca have seen over 2.5 goals in their last three games in Taca da Liga, while Sporting have seen over 2.5 goals in three of their four games in the competition.
Arouca vs Sporting Prediction
Arouquenses beat Sporting 1-0 in the Primeira Liga earlier this season and recorded a 4-0 win over Portimonense on Friday.
Sporting, meanwhile, have an incredible record in Taca da Liga this term and have won the competition thrice in the last four years. They have dominated proceedings against their northern rivals, and the trend should continue.
Prediction: Arouca 1-2 Sporting
Arouca vs Sporting Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Sporting
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5
Tip 3: Sporting to score first - Yes
Tip 4: At least a goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 5: Pedro Gonçalves to score or assist any time - Yes
