Two sides who need a win go head to head in round 18 of the Primeira Liga as Estoril Praia play host to Arouca at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Saturday.

Currently separated by just one point in the bottom half of the table, both sides have lost each of their three games since the turn of the year and will look to end this poor run.

Match preview

It has been a tough start to the new year for Estoril Praia, who were left empty handed last Saturday when they fell to a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Moreirense.

Pedro Aparicio, Marcelo and Alan all found the back of the net to put Os verdes e brancos in a commanding three-goal lead before substitute Joao Carlos grabbed a 90th-minute consolation for the hosts.

Vasco Seabra's men have now lost three consecutive games across all competitions, a run which has seen their Taca de Portugal quest come to an end courtesy of a 4-0 defeat against Porto on January 9.

Estoril have now lost 10 of their 17 Primeira Liga matches while claiming five wins and two draws to collect 17 points and sit 13th in the league table, one point and one place above Saturday's visitors, and two points above the relegation playoff spot.

Like the home side, Arouca suffered a third defeat in three games since the turn of the year on Monday as they were beaten 2-1 by Vitoria de Guimaraes when the sides squared off on Monday.

The visitors took an eight-minute lead at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques thanks to 29-year-old Jason, but Jota Silva and Brazilian forward Andre Silva found the back of the net to turn the game in its head.

Prior to that, Daniel Sousa's men suffered a fifth-round exit from the Taca de Portugal on January 10, when they fell to a 1-0 loss against Vizela at the Estadio do FC Vizela.

A lack of sting at the attacking end of the pitch has coincided with Arouca's drop-off in form as they have scored just one goal in their last three matches, having netted 17 in five games before the turn of the year.

While the Arouquenses will look to stop the rot and pull clear of the danger zone, they will have to be at their best at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota, where they have won just once in their last 10 visits while losing five and claiming four draws since December 2010.

Team News

Estoril Praia remain without the services of Uruguayan defender Erick Cabaco, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a severe muscle injury back in September.

He is joined on the Canarinhos' injury table by 32-year-old Alex Soares, who has missed each of the last six matches since coming off injured against Porto on December 6.

Olympiacos loanee Jordan Holsgrove was forced off injured inside the half-hour against Moreirense last time out and the Scottish midfielder is a major doubt for this weekend's matchup.

In his absence, Koba Koindredi will push for his sixth league start of the season, teaming up with Rodrigo Gomes, Matheus Fernandes and Tiago Araujo in the centre of the park.

Off the back of an injury-free game against Vitoria de Guimaraes, Arouca head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Sousa the luxury of a full-strength squad at his disposal.

Jason has been in fine form for the Arouquenses of late and the Spanish forward, who has three goals in his last three league games, should team up with Rafa Mujica and former Udinese striker Cristo Gonzalez in the final third once again.

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Carne; Parra, Mangala, Vital; Gomes, Koindredi, Fernandes, Araujo; Guitane, Marques, Cassiano

Arouca possible starting lineup:
Arruabarrena; Milovanov, Galovic, Montero, Esgaio; Simao, Eboue, Sylla; Jason, Gonzalez, Mujica

We say: Estoril Praia 2-0 Arouca

Estoril and Arouca have both stumbled into the new year and will be looking to end their run of three consecutive defeats. While both sides are evenly matched on paper, we fancy the Canarinhos to claim all three points in front of their home supporters.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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