Preview: Portimonense vs. Rio Ave - prediction, team news, lineups

The Vilacondenses, meanwhile, journey to the Estadio Municipal de Portimao unbeaten in their last nine games against the home side and will be looking to extend this impressive run.

Match preview

Portimonense were left empty handed once again as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Porto when the sides squared off last Sunday.

In a one-sided affair at the Estadio do Dragao, 28-year-old defender Fabio Cardoso rose highest to head home Wendell's 30th-minute corner and hand the hosts their 19th win of the season.

Paulo Sergio's side have now lost their last five matches, conceding six goals and failing to find the back of the net since their 2-1 victory over Maritimo on February 18.

This horror run has seen Portimonense plunge into the bottom half of the Primeira Liga standings as they have picked up 26 points from 26 matches to sit 14th in the table, seven points above the relegation zone.

Rio Ave, on the other hand, suffered a fresh blow in their quest for a place in Europe as they were beaten 1-0 by league leaders Benfica last Sunday.

Following an uneventful first half at the Estadio dos Arcos, Portuguese sensation Goncalo Ramos came up clutch for As Aguias as he netted the only goal of the game shortly after the half-time interval.

Luis Freire's men were previously on a run of three consecutive victories on home turf, seeing off Estoril Praia, Chaves and Gil Vicente while scoring five goals and keeping two clean sheets.

Rio Ave have picked up nine wins, six draws and lost 11 of their 26 matches so far to collect 33 points and sit 10th in the league table, level on points with ninth-placed Famalicao and eight points off the Conference League qualification places.

However, the Vilacondenses will be backing themselves to find their feet this weekend as they take on a Portimonense side who are winless in each of the last nine meetings between the teams, losing six wins and claiming three draws since a 4-1 win in January 2018.

Portimonense Primeira Liga form:

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Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

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Team News

Portimonense will have to cope without Lucas Ventura, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card in Sunday's game against Porto.

In his absence, 24-year-old Paulo Estrela should come into the fold, teaming up with Mohamed Diaby and Gustavo Klismahn at the centre of the park.

Full-back Moustapha Seck came off with a 67th-minute injury last time out and the former Roma defender is a doubt for Saturday's contest.

Meanwhile, Rio Ave remain without the services of Portuguese midfielder Joca, who has been out of action since last September through a severe knee injury.

Having scored the only goal of the game to hand the Vilacondenses the win in October's reverse fixture, 26-year-old Emmanuel Boateng will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Portimonense possible starting lineup:

Nakamura; Moufi, Ji-Soo, Pedrao, Relvas, Costa; Estrela, Diaby, Klismahn; Gonzalez, Junior

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Jhonatan; Pantalon, Santos, William; Costinha, Samaris, Guga, Ronaldo, Graca; Pereira, Boateng

We say: Portimonense 1-1 Rio Ave

Rio Ave will be backing themselves to return to winning ways as they take on a Portimonense side who have lost their last six outings. Barring their defeat against Benfica, the Vilacondenses have been solid in recent weeks and we predict they will hold the hosts to a draw in this one.

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