Famalicao vs Rio Ave Predictions

Famalicao were one of five teams to collect a win during the opening weekend of the new Primeira Liga season and now they hope to follow that up with three more points in their first home game of the campaign. Rio Ave didn’t play last weekend so Friday’s game is their first of the season but after seeing their hosts’ result against Santa Clara, the visitors will expect a tough ninety minutes.

All of the stats point towards both teams scoring in Friday’s match and the brief history between the two clubs suggests that we could well be in for a stalemate. All of the pair’s three previous encounters have seen both teams score and two of those three meetings have ended in 1-1 draws.

Famalicao have only failed to score in two of their last six matches, away at Deportivo Aves and at home to Sporting Covilha, but have conceded eight goals during that period. Rio Ave have scored in four of their last six matches, netting six last time out against UD Oliveirense, and both teams have scored in three of the visitors’ last four matches.

Famalicao have only lost two of their last six matches and even beat Rio Ave 2-1 in pre-season. Rio Ave had an off day in front of goal but still managed to score at the Estádio Municipal 22 de Junho, and we’re expecting another tight, tense, and close match between the pair this weekend.

We’re confident that both teams will score on Saturday and have predicted a final scoreline of 1-1. Every time these two sides have met, both teams have always scored and two of their last three encounters have finished 1-1. Famalicao got the better of Rio Ave in pre-season but the visitors know more of what to expect this time around and that’s another reason we expect the game to end in a score draw. Rio Ave will be raring to go after winning their last match 6-1 in the Taca da Liga and should be fresh after not playing last weekend.