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September 21, 2024

Preview: Rio Ave vs. Estoril Praia – Predictions & Lineups – Primeira Liga

After securing their first win of the 2024-25 Primeira Liga season, Estoril Praia travels to Estadio dos Arcos to take on Rio Ave this Saturday.

The Vilacondenses aim for their third consecutive home victory, which they haven’t achieved since November 2022, following wins against Farense and Arouca in their opening two home matches.

Match Preview

Rio Ave continues to struggle away from home, suffering a 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted AVS at Estadio do Desportivo das Aves last Saturday.

After a scoreless first half, 25-year-old striker Vasco Lopes scored the match’s only goal in the 72nd minute, leading AVS to their second consecutive home win. Rio Ave has now lost all three of its away games this season, conceding six goals while managing to score just once. It hasn’t won any of its last 27 away matches, with 13 losses and 14 draws since its previous victory, a 2-0 win at Santa Clara in March 2023.

Despite their struggles on the road, Luis Freire’s squad has been formidable at Estadio dos Arcos, remaining unbeaten in 13 home matches since last October. They have recorded seven draws and six wins, including back-to-back victories over Farense and Arouca this season. The Vilacondenses are optimistic about continuing their strong home form this weekend, as they face a side they’ve remained unbeaten against in six of their last seven Primeira Liga encounters, with four wins and two draws since March 2017.

Conversely, Estoril Praia put in a solid effort to achieve their first win of the season, narrowly defeating newly promoted Nacional 1-0 at the Antonio Coimbra da Mota last weekend.

In a match where Ulisses Wilson was sent off, Joao Carvalho capitalized on Lucas Franca’s poor clearance in the 19th minute, striking from 35 yards out to secure all three points for the visitors.

This victory was crucial for Estoril Praia, who had gone seven matches without a win in the Primeira Liga, suffering five losses and earning two draws since the beginning of May. This poor run contributed to their 13th-place finish in the table last season.

Next on the agenda for Ian Cathro’s team is a trip to Estadio dos Arcos. They haven’t won in their last three visits, with two losses and one draw since managing a narrow 2-1 victory in October 2016.

As Estoril aims to break this poor streak and achieve consecutive league wins for the first time since March, their away form provides little hope. They have gone 13 straight Primeira Liga matches without a win on the road, dating back to a 1-0 victory over Porto on November 3.

Team News

Despite the loss to AVS, we anticipate a similar starting XI this weekend, with Renato Pantalon, Aderllan Santos, and Jonathan Panzo making up the back three. Meanwhile, Amine Oudrhiri and 31-year-old Joao Novais are expected to keep their positions in midfield.

In attack, we expect an unchanged front three featuring Tiago Morais, German forward Ole Pohlmann, and Vasco da Gama loanee Clayton, who has played every minute this season and scored two goals.

For Estoril, Cathro will be without Scottish midfielder Jordan Holsgrove, who remains sidelined after sustaining an injury against Braga in January.

Togo international Kevin Boma sustained an injury during the match against Nacional and is now doubtful about this weekend’s clash. The 21-year-old’s availability remains uncertain.

Former Leeds United player Helder Costa was also substituted due to injury shortly after halftime in the recent match, and the 30-year-old may be replaced by Alejandro Marques in the starting XI.

Rio Ave Possible Starting Lineup:

Jhonatan; Pantalon, Santos, Panzo; Vrousai, Oudrhiri, Novais, Richards; Morais, Clayton, Pohlmann

Estoril Praia Possible Starting Lineup:

Robles; Carvalho, Alvaro, Mangala, Amaral; Zanocelo, Xeka, Costa; Marques, Begraoui, Carvalho