Rio Ave vs Boavista Predictions

• Under 2.5 goals have been scored in 3 of the last 5 meetings between these two clubs.
• Under 2.5 goals have been produced in 5 of Rio Ave’s last 6 matches.
• Under 2.5 goals have been produced in 4 of Boaviosta’s last 6 matches.
• Rio Ave have failed to score in 2 of their last 4 matches and Boavista have failed to score in 3 of their last 6 matches.

Rio Ave have only won three times at home this season

Rio Ave lost 3-2 away at Benfica in the Taca de Portugal in midweek while Boavista lost their last game 1-0 in the league at home to high-flying Famalicao. Just 3pts separate these two clubs, with Rio Ave sitting two spots above Boavista and boasting a slightly better goal difference.

Both teams have performed to a similar standard so far this season and we are expecting a closely fought ninety minutes between the pair on Sunday. Under 2.5 goals have been scored in three of the pairs last five league meetings and under 2.5 goals have also been produced in five of Rio Ave’s and four of Boaviosta’s last six matches in all competitions, so you can see why we’re backing under 2.5 goals to be scored in Sunday’s clash.

Rio Ave have only won three games at home this season, drawing twice, while Boavista have drawn three times on the road, only winning twice on their travels so far. The hosts average 1.38 points per home game which is below the league average of 1.53 points, while Boavista average 1.29 points per away game which is above the league average of 1.20 points, so you can see why we have backed the points to be shared this weekend.

Boavista don’t score many goals on the road but haven’t conceded many either

The visitors score and concede an average of 0.71 goals per away game which is part of the reason we have backed a goalless draw between the pair. Only 25% of Rio Ave’s home games have produced over 2.5 goals and just 50% have seen both teams score, while a mere 14% of Boavista’s away games have seen over 2.5 goals scored an just 43% have seen both teams score.

The hosts have kept clean sheets in 25% of their home games this season but have also failed to score in 25% of their home games as well, while Boavista have kept clean sheets in 29% of their away games but have failed to score in 43% of their games on the road, all of which suggests that there is a good chance of Sunday’s game ending in a 0-0 draw.

We’re confident that under 2.5 goals will be scored in Sunday’s match and we have predicted a final scoreline of 0-0 between the pair. Neither side score a lot of goals but both have good defensive records in the league this season, and we have backed the pair to play out a goalless draw this Sunday.