Rio Ave vs Nacional Predictions

Rio Ave are aiming to continue their brilliant campaign with three points against Nacional this week. The hosts have made an excellent start to the Primeira Liga season, and they came into the weekend in fourth place. A return to the Europa League could well be on the horizon for the hosts, especially with a straightforward clash in prospect on Monday. The home side are coming off a strong run of form, and they are going up against a side who are headed for the second tier this term.

Rio Ave have got themselves in amongst the top sides in Portugal, and they’re managing to keep pace with them. They were just a point shy of top spot after eight games, and ahead of Sporting Lisbon. The club aren’t considered title challengers, but they’re having a fine campaign in an incredibly open Primeira Liga campaign. Will the hosts add to their great points tally so far in Monday’s meeting with struggling Nacional?

The visitors have picked up just five points from their opening eight games, and they’re set for a speedy return to the second tier. They’re second from bottom, and a single win so far. It’s going to take a huge turn around from the Madeira-based side to climb out of the bottom three. They have the worst goal difference in the top flight, with only six goals to their name. They’ve also conceded two per match on average, and that has left them on course for the drop.

The hosts have scored eight times in their last four home league games, so they should rack up a decent score against a vulnerable Nacional on Monday night. Goals haven’t been a problem for Rio Ave this term, they were dumped out of the Europa League after a 4-4 draw at home to Jagiellonia back in August. Since that they’ve won four home matches on the spin, which has put them into the top four domestically, and on course for another crack at European competition.

The hosts are unbeaten in their last seven league games, winning five of those. Meanwhile, Nacional have lost three of their last five in the league. The visitors come here without a win in eight in all competitions, and they’ve shipped 21 goals in that time. We expect them to have more trouble in this visit to Rio Ave, so a home win is our tip, along with a 2-1 victory for the hosts.