Guimaraes vs Rio Ave Predictions

Guimaraes are in fine form and look very strong defensively ahead of Sunday’s home game against mid table rivals Rio Ave. The hosts beat Chaves 1-0 last time out and might have been slightly fortunate to have claimed all three points in that game, while Rio Ave suffered a 3-1 defeat at home against title chasing Sporting CP.

Chaves were arguably the better side against Guimaraes, but ended up losing their fifth straight match last weekend. A thirty-sixth minute strike from Brazilian Davidson proved enough for Guimarães to claim all three points away against Chaves, a result that the home side will be disappointed with. Chaves may have only had 49% of the overall possession, but the hosts created more goal scoring opportunities than Guimaraes and, with nine shots on target, really should have at least earned a point from the match.

The gap in quality between Rio Ave and Sporting CP was clear to see when the sides locked horns at the Estádio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube, where the visitors claimed a comfortable 3-1 win. Bruno Fernandes go the ball rolling for Sporting with the opening goal in the eight minute and despite Rio Ave levelling the scores four minutes later through João Schmidt, a strike from Dutch forward Dost in the twenty-third minute would see the visitors lead at the break. Sporting controlled the second half and reduced the number of goal scoring opportunities for their hosts, and in the seventy-second minute wrapped up all three points with a third goal from substitute Jovane Cabral.

Guimaraes have been in excellent form over the last month or so, picking up four wins and two draws from their last six matches in league and cup, while Rio Ave have lost two, drawn one, and won three during that same period. André André, so good they named him twice, top scores for Guimaraes in the league with four goals, while Rio Ave’s Brazilian attacker Carlos leads the way with five Primeira Liga goals. Guimaraes have a great win ratio of 52% against Rio Ave and even though the two teams are only separated goal difference in the Primeira Liga table, we believe the hosts are going to win this one.

We’re confident that Guimaraes will beat Rio Ave on Sunday, and have backed the final scoreline to read 2-1 to the hosts. Guimaraes have won their last four matches against Rio Ave; and the hosts have won four of their last six matches in all competitions, while Rio Ave have lost their last two Primeira Liga matches. Guimaraes have a very good record against their guests, one we expect to continue this weekend.