Liga Betclic: Arouca-Benfica X-ray

Having brilliantly completed matchday 5 of the Champions League group stage with a win at Monaco (2-3), o Benfica turn their attention to the Liga Betclic. After the emphatic win over FC Porto (4-1), at Estádio da Luz, on November 10, on matchday 11, the Eagles travel to Arouca, the opponents on matchday 12 of the Championship, in a match scheduled for 6 pm on Sunday, December 1, at the Estádio Municipal de Arouca.

Domestically, another step forward in the Portuguese Cup (7-0 triumph over Estrela da Amadora in the 4th round), the focus is now on Arouca, who are in 16th place in the league table and haven't won in five consecutive matches.

The record between the two teams is largely in favor of the Eagles. In all competitions, Benfica have won 16 of the 18 matches played (89% of wins), with one draw. In the league, there have been 14 matches, with 12 wins for the Reds (86%) and one draw.

Restricting the analysis to league matches, whenever they have faced Arouca away from home, Benfica have come out on top on six out of seven occasions (15 goals scored and three conceded). The Reds' appetite for the opposition's goal has been constant. With Bruno Lage at the helm, Benfica have scored 23 times in the 6 matches played in the League against Santa Clara (4-1), Boavista (0-3), Gil Vicente (5-1), Rio Ave (5-0), Farense (1-2) and FC Porto (4-1), in other words, the average number of goals scored is 3.83. In defensive terms, Benfica have only conceded four goals during this period. In contrast, Arouca, coached by Vasco Seabra, have scored six goals and conceded 19, giving them a total of eight points from two wins and two draws.

In addition, in five home games, Arouca have only won once, against Nacional (1-0), and drawn with AFS (1-1).

In Bruno Lage's first match as head coach against Arouca, Benfica head into this round with the firm intention of picking up three more points, after an impeccable run in their previous six matches in the Liga Betclic. In collective terms, according to statistical data from the Sofascore portal, the Eagles have an average of 60.9% possession. Arouca, on the other hand, despite their position in the table, have 54.1% possession. With one game in hand, against Nacional, in terms of accurate passes (average values), Benfica are one of the best teams (471.7).The Arouquenses are in 5th place in the ranking (381.9). In accurate long balls, there is a more marked difference (26.4 for the eagles against 16.4).

The attacking football played by Bruno Lage's men is reflected in their accurate crosses (average of 7.2), which means they are top of the table in this area (Arouca are 11th, with 3.9). There is also a gap in the average number of shots (18 compared to Arouca's 10.4).

In terms of successful dribbles, the picture is similar, with the Eagles averaging 10.4 compared to Arouca's 5.6. The Glorioso's attacking volume translates into an average of 7.8 corners per match, which gives the Eagles the lead in this regard. Arouca close out the podium (6.5). Defensively, Benfica are the second team with the most tackles: 19.3, compared to 16.2 for the visitors, who are the third most yellow-carded team (33). Still in terms of discipline, Arouca are one of three teams to have two red cards.

Individually, Aktürkoğlu is the Eagles' top scorer with five goals. Henrique Araújo, on loan from Arouca, is the home team's most prolific scorer (two goals). In key passes, with 22, Kökcü stands out for the eagles, and David Simão is the opponent who stands out the most, with 16.

In the defensive maneuver, Florentino and Bah stand out in terms of tackles, both with 27. Tiago Esgaio, from Arouca, has a total of 35.

In the back line, captain Otamendi is one of the players with the most interceptions (19), while Tiago Esgaio has 15, making him the most efficient rival in this area.