Tondela v Arouca: survival six-pointer in Liga Portugal | OneFootball

Tondela host Arouca in Liga Portugal at Estádio João Cardoso on 3 January 2026, a bottom-end meeting between 17th and 16th that could reshape the relegation picture and the play-off spot.

Arouca sit one place above and five points ahead. The sides' most recent meeting was a 2-0 friendly win for Tondela in July 2025, but league points now set the tone.

Tondela arrive on a three-match league losing run and are still searching for a first home league win. Arouca are unbeaten in three, beating Alverca before draws with Santa Clara and Gil Vicente.

Cristiano Bacci's side have struggled for goals, scoring just nine at 0.6 per game. All have come from inside the box, with no headed goals, and they have converted only half of their eight penalties. Vasco Seabra's visitors have conceded 39 league goals at 2.4 per game, but carry threat through Nais Djouahra and Alfonso Trezza Hernandez, each on five league goals.

Routes to goal could hinge on penalty-box moments. Tondela may look to force openings inside the area against Arouca's leaky defence, while the visitors' forwards could test a back line conceding 1.8 per game.

A home win would take Tondela to 12 points and keep them in touch with the relegation play-off place. Victory for Arouca would move them to 17 points, potentially opening daylight to the bottom two and edging them closer to mid-table.