Rio Ave vs Benfica Predictions

• Benfica have won 10 of their 12 away Primeira Liga games this season.
• The Eagles have failed to cover a -1 handicap in five of their six away games to top-half clubs.
• Rio Ave have won seven of their 12 home league contests, including a 3-1 victory over Porto.
• Rio Ave’s three home league defeats were all by a single goal.

Benfica must beware Rio Ave pitfalls

Benfica should be aware of the pitfalls that await them when the leaders travel to Vila do Conde to take on Rio Ave on Sunday evening. The hosts are one of the stronger home teams in the Primeira Liga, having won seven of their 12 games at Estadio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube this term.

Their most startling result came in the fourth round of matches when they stunned champions Porto with a trio of first-half goals that ultimately led to a 3-1 scoreline. They may not be able to repeat that against Benfica, who appear a class apart in Portugal this season, but they can make the champions-in-waiting sweat for the points.

Rio Ave have not lost at home by more than a goal all season, which brings the +2 handicap well within their range.

Eagles may have to claw their way to three points

Although Benfica have won their last five away league contests by two or more goals, they were all against bottom-half clubs and the Eagles’ road record against the top nine teams in the table is much less impressive.

Roger Schmidt’s men have won three, drawn one and lost one in their five away meetings with top-half sides and only managed to cover a -1 handicap once – at Arouca in January.

Hence, the recommendation is to take Rio Ave to cover a +2 handicap at around 4/5 and the preferred correct score play for Benfica to squeeze to a 1-0 win. The Eagles have scored no more than one goal in four of those five away clashes against the top half sides while Rio Ave have not shipped one goal in 11 of 12 home assignments this term.

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