Rio Ave vs Feirense Predictions

Rio Ave sit seven points above the drop zone and that cushion has so far kept them away from the relegation battle, but seven Primeira Liga games without a win suggests they could soon be fighting for their survival. Feirense currently occupy one of the bottom three places and like their hosts they head into the game in the midst of a desperate winless streak.

Rio Ave started the game against Vitoria Setubal last weekend well, taking the lead in the twenty-seventh minute through Galeno and held that lead into the half time break. The hosts looked like they might end their winless run in the league, but shot themselves in the foot shortly after the hour mark when Matheus Reis was sent-off for his second bookable offence. Setubal started to create more chances and earned themselves a share of the spoils six minutes from time when substitute Hildeberto Pereira equalised. Rio Ave only have themselves to blame for failing to see this game out and end their poor run, but on the balance of play a point was probably the fair result.

Feirense’s run in the Taca de Portugal came to an end in midweek as Sporting ran out 2-0 winners, but Sunday’s guests were able to claim a point from their last league game at Aves. The hosts took a deserved lead into the break when Fariña scored the only goal of the first half in the forty-third minute. Aves controlled the majority of this relegation six-pointer with 60% of the overall possession, six corners to their guests one, and seventeen shots to Feirense’s three. However, José Valencia’s sixty-fourth minute strike proved enough for Feirense to claim a point that never looked on the cards and could prove vital in this seasons relegation battle.

When these two teams met back in August, Tiago Silva put Feirense 1-0 up in the twentieth minute and shortly after the half hour mark Edinho doubled the hosts advantage. Rio Ave ended the game with 62% of the overall possession and created a similar amount of scoring opportunities, but the visitors finishing was poor and they could not avoid defeat. Both of these teams are in poor form, but with three draws and three defeats from their last six matches, it’s Feirense who just claim the title of form favourites. Carlos has been in great form for the hosts this season scoring eight league goals, while Edinho top scores for Feirense with just half that amount of goals to his name.

We’re confident that both teams will score and over 2.5 goals will be produced in Sunday’s game, and have backed Rio Ave to claim a narrow 2-1 win. Three of the last six meetings between the two clubs have seen both teams score and produced over 2.5 goals. Each of Rio Ave’s last six matches have seen both teams score, and four of those games have produced over 2.5 goals, while three of Feirense last six matches have both teams score.