Benfica vs Rio Ave Predictions

• Benfica have won their last ten meetings with Rio Ave, seven of them by two goals or fewer.
• Benfica have only won one of their last five Primeira Liga games by more than one goal.
• Rio Ave have won two, drawn three and lost only one of their last six, beating Porto during that run.

Rio Ave on a good run heading to Lisbon

Benfica return to domestic action this weekend after playing their part in a thrilling Champions League draw with Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

But if there is any hangover from that game on show at the Estadio da Luz on Saturday, Rio Ave are in the mood to take advantage. Vilacondenses will arrive in Lisbon in their best moment for around three years after making a superb start to their first season back in the top division.

In August, Luís Freire’s side beat Porto for the first time in 18 years and they now have another of Portugal’s big three in their crosshairs. Of course this is away and will be very difficult to win, but Rio Ave won’t lack belief after pushing Braga all the way in a 3-2 defeat last month.

Benfica too short to back in win market

Backing the visitors to win with a three-goal headstart is an intriguing bet given that would have been enough to ensure victory for them in seven of the last nine head-to-head meetings. Benfica have only won one of their last five Primeira Liga games by more than one goal and may be a touch jaded from their midweek workout.

Roger Schmidt’s side covered 119km as a team on Wednesday, 10km more than PSG did, and the coach is entitled to consider utilising his squad depth for this game. The Eagles should still win, however, but the 1/7 quote is unappealing and it’s hard to envisage Rio Ave capitulating here given the form they are in.

A 3-1 home victory seems the most appropriate correct score forecast as Benfica have scored 14 goals in four previous home games at an average of 3.5 while shipping five times – the same number of away goals that Rio Ave mustered in four road trips.

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