Desportivo Aves vs Maritimo Predictions

After an awful start to the 2018/19 campaign set Aves up for a tough campaign, they’ll be desperate to avoid the same fate this time around. However, the hosts are already looking like a relegation candidate following their loss to Boavista – their fourth defeat on the spin in the league. Things could be about to take a turn for the worse in this clash, with Maritimo coming here on a bit of a high. While we anticipate a close encounter, we suspect that the visitors have enough to shade Sunday’s meeting.

The hosts were beaten in four of their first five matches last season – a run which included a 1-0 loss to Maritimo. We suspect that the hosts could struggle in this clash, having kicked off with another loss this term. Aves were just eight points clear of the bottom two last term, while they could easily be pulled into relegation danger this time around. Their home record is one aspect which needs to be worked on, having lost five of their last seven matches at home in the Primeira Liga.

Maritimo had a much better time in their opener, as they kicked things off with a 1-1 draw against Sporting. Holding one of the giants to a draw is a major morale boost, which hints at another quick start for them. They started with three wins in their first four last season, while they’ve already got a strong result to kick off the new season. Now their first away trip takes them to Aves, a side they’ve beaten across three of the last four meetings between these two sides.

The hosts lost nine of their 17 home clashes last term, with plenty of those defeats coming in the final stages of the season. They could be set for another defeat, having suffered three defeats in their last four matches across all competitions. Meanwhile, the visitors won three of their four games before the season started before they took that point off Sporting.

The visitors certainly seem to be in the better shape, which could see them edge this one. We do expect a close run game here, with the visitors seeing under 2.5 goals in 71% of their Primeira Liga games, including all of their away wins. Aves have seen under 2.5 goals in four of their last five clashes with this weekend’s opponents and we’re backing this to go the same way. Maritimo to win and under 2.5 goals to be scored is our tip, while we’re backing another 1-0 away win.