Rio Ave vs Santa Clara Predictions

• Both teams have scored in four of the last five meetings between these two clubs.
• Both teams have scored in eight of Rio Ave’s 16 home games.
• Both teams have scored in six of Rio Ave’s and five of Santa Clara’s last nine league games.

Rio Ave played out a goalless draw away at in-form Maritimo on Monday night and sit 6th in the Primeira Liga table heading into the final two games of the season. Santa Clara cruised to a 3-0 victory at home to already-relegated Aves on Tuesday and have their sights set on their best-ever finish in the Primeira Liga but must move above Gil Vicente or Moreirense to do so.

Our prediction for both teams to score in Saturday’s clash is based on the recent encounters between the two clubs, the sides’ performances heading into the match and Rio Ave’s record at home this season. Half of the hosts’ home games this season have seen both teams score as have four of the last five competitive and non-competitive meetings between these two clubs. Six of Rio Ave’s and five of Santa Clara’s last nine league games have also seen both teams score, so you can see why we’re backing both keepers to be beaten at least once this weekend.

As for a final scoreline, we’re predicting a 2-1 win for Rio Ave as the hosts have won four of their last seven games against Santa Clara and have outperformed their guests in all departments this season. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in five of Rio Ave’s last eight outings in the Primeira Liga, as have four of Santa Clara’s last eight league games. Rio Ave score an average of 1.38 goals per home game while Santa Clara score an average of 1.00 goals on the road, which adds weight to our prediction for a 2-1 home win on Saturday.

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