In what promises to be an enthralling encounter, Rio Ave will host Benfica at Estadio do Rio Ave on Friday, as both teams aim to wrap up their campaigns positively.
Match Preview
Vilacondenses seek to maintain their impressive unbeaten run, while the Eagles aim to build on their recent home victory.
Rio Ave extended their unbeaten streak in the Primeira Liga to 11 matches on Saturday afternoon. They visited Portimonense and drew in a thrilling four-goal game, but they could have done better.
Goals from Amine Oudrhiri and center-back Renato Pantalon had put Rio Ave ahead as the game neared its end.
However, Portimonense salvaged a point in the 97th minute, with Helio Varela scoring his sixth of the season.
Despite an 11-game unbeaten streak, Luis Freire’s team has only won two Primeira Liga matches during that period.
This explains why Friday’s hosts are only 10th in the standings, 24 points behind Vitoria de Guimaraes in the last European spot.
Last weekend’s draw at Portimonense means Vilacondenses have gone the entire Primeira Liga campaign without winning on the road.
Twenty-five of their 36 league points have come at Estadio do Rio Ave, keeping them safe from the bottom of the table.
Emmanuel Boateng, who played for Rio Ave during the 2014-15 season, returned to the club from China in 2022. The Ghanaian has scored 13 times in two years in the Primeira Liga.
Having lost their Primeira Liga crown to rivals Sporting Lisbon, Benfica relieved some of their pain with a 5-0 win over seventh-placed Arouca on Sunday. The Eagles recorded their biggest victory since a 6-1 win over Vizela on February 18.
Roger Schmidt’s team took a three-goal lead by halftime with goals from Angel Di Maria, Orkun Kokcu, and Rafa Silva.
Di Maria added his second after the break before substitute Casper Tengstedt rounded off the five-goal display with his fourth of the season.
Heading into the final weekend of Primeira Liga fixtures, Benfica is firmly in second place in the league table.
They are eight points behind champions Sporting and 10 points ahead of third-placed Porto, who are fighting to keep their automatic Europa League spot.
Unbeaten at home in their 17 Primeira Liga matches, Benfica’s struggles on the road have cost them consecutive Portuguese titles.
All four of Benfica’s defeats this season came away from home, most recently a 2-0 loss at Famalicao on May 5.
Having won the last 12 meetings with Rio Ave, Benfica is confident of ending their 2023-24 campaign on a high note this Friday.
Team News & Updates:
After being replaced at halftime in the draw at Portimonense, Rio Ave winger Umaro Embalo might be dropped in favor of Marios Vrousai.
Center-back Helder Sa assisted Pantalon from the bench last weekend, and the 21-year-old could be promoted to the starting XI.
Finding themselves four goals ahead after 60 minutes last time out, Benfica rested some players for this weekend’s final match. Antonio Silva and Florentino Luis both went off early.
Danish striker Tengstedt could earn his eighth league start of the season if Schmidt rotates his forward line for the last fixture.
The Eagles will be without right-back Alexander Bah due to a muscle injury, so Fredrik Aursnes will start in the backline.
Prediction & Analysis
Benfica holds a dominant record against Rio Ave, having won their last 12 meetings. The visitors will be confident of ending their season on a high note, while Rio Ave will be eager to put up a fight for a top-half finish.
- Rio Ave 1-2 Benfica
