Preview: Porto vs Rio Ave – prediction, team news, lineups

Porto might see their 4-level lead on the high of the Primeira Liga table decreased earlier than even kicking a ball on Sunday, once they host Rio Ave at Estadio do Dragao.

The Dragons take to the sector a day after second-positioned Sporting Lisbon face Moreirense of their matchday 23 encounter, however the league leaders needs to be assured of at the least retaining the hole intact as they face guests presently on a free fall.

Match preview

Porto bounced again from their transient wobble with one other managed show, as Jan Bednarek’s sixtieth-minute aim proved decisive in final weekend’s 1–0 victory at Nacional.

The Dragons, who had adopted their 2–1 defeat at Casa Pia with a 1–1 draw in opposition to Sporting within the previous matches, have now gained 19 of their 22 league fixtures this season (D2, L1).

Central to Porto’s spectacular marketing campaign has been their excellence on the again, with Francesco Farioli’s facet conceding a league-low seven targets and retaining essentially the most clear sheets (16), whereas their assault has additionally impressed, having discovered the online 43 occasions.

Firmly on target for a home double this time period, the Dragons face a demanding begin to March, together with a Taca de Portugal semi-closing conflict with Sporting earlier than an O Classico assembly with Benfica within the Primeira Liga.

That leaves Porto in want of as a lot momentum as potential heading into these excessive-profile encounters, with this weekend’s fixture and one other dwelling sport in opposition to Arouca in between.

The Dragons method Sunday’s conflict with confidence, having crushed Rio Ave in 22 of their final 26 conferences (D1) on the Dragao.

© Imago / Avant Sports

That makes this project much more daunting for the struggling guests, who’ve suffered defeats in every of their final 5 outings, a run that has left Sotiris Silaidopoulos underneath mounting strain.

However, a tactical change in final weekend’s 2–1 dwelling loss to Moreirense sparked a extra spirited show from the Vilacondenses; Silaidopoulos noticed his facet rating for the primary time in 5 matches, courtesy of Jalen Blesa’s equaliser, earlier than Mateja Stjepanovic secured victory for the Minho guests.

After the match, Silaidopoulos insisted that he stays ‘’the fitting man’’ to steer Rio Ave out of their precarious place, with the team presently fifteenth within the standings, simply three factors above the relegation playoff spot, so taking one thing from Sunday’s journey would due to this fact be vital.

For all their struggles on the Dragao, the Vilacondenses can draw some encouragement from their go to in February 2024, once they held the Dragons to a goalless draw, although Rioavistas have since misplaced two of the three conferences between the edges (D1), together with a 3–0 defeat in September.

Porto Primeira Liga type:

Porto type (all competitions):

Rio Ave Primeira Liga type:

Team News

© Imago / Sportimage

Porto will stay with out striker Samu Aghehowa, who underwent knee surgical procedure and is predicted to overlook the rest of the season, as is fellow ahead Luuk de Jong, who has been sidelined since November.

Defender Martim Fernandes has additionally been absent from the final two matches as a consequence of damage, whereas choices on the again are additional restricted after Jakub Kiwior missed the earlier sport with a health concern.

Meanwhile, lengthy-time period absentee Nehuen Perez continues his restoration from an Achilles tendon downside sustained in September.

As for Rio Ave, midfielder Brandon Aguilera has been dominated out for the remainder of the season after struggling an anterior cruciate ligament damage in opposition to Arouca on matchday 20.

Goalkeeper Cezary Miszta is predicted to overlook a fifth consecutive match with a again downside, so Ennio van der Gouw is prone to retain his place between the posts.

Head coach Silaidopoulos departed from his traditional three-man defence to deploy a 4-2-3-1 system final day trip, and, given the improved efficiency, the Greek supervisor is prone to stick with that method.

Porto potential beginning lineup:

D Costa; A Costa, Bednarek, T Silva, Moura; Froholdt, Varela, Veiga; Pepe, Gul, Sainz

Rio Ave potential beginning lineup:

Van der Gouw; Vrousai, Brabec, Mancha, O Richards, Nikitscher, Ntoi; Bezerra, Blesa, Spikic; Monteiro 

We say: Porto 3-0 Rio Ave

Although Porto are in need of attacking choices, they need to nonetheless safe most factors on Sunday, significantly in opposition to opponents struggling within the closing third and away from dwelling.

Rio Ave have misplaced every of their final three matches on the highway with out scoring, and so they might discover it tough as soon as extra in opposition to hosts who’ve gained 15 of their 18 dwelling video games throughout all competitions this season (D2, L1).

For knowledge evaluation of the most probably outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.