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

The hosts come into this match following a 2-0 loss to Estoril on the road, while the visitors secured their second consecutive league win, beating Farense 2-1 at home.

Match preview

Having earned promotion back to the top flight in the 2021-22 season, Rio Ave will look back at the last campaign as a fairly good one, as they managed a 12th-placed finish and were never really in danger of relegation either.

Luis Freire's side managed 40 points (W10 D10 L14) and were 14 points clear of Maritimo, who ended in the relegation playoff spot and just four points behind the sides in the top half of the Primeira Liga table.

Rio Ave's biggest strength last season was their defensive solidity, as they conceded only 43 goals across the entire campaign, which was a better record than the likes of Famalicao and Boavista in the top half of the table managed.

They began this season with a 2-0 home win over a 10-man Chaves, but despite dominating Estoril in their first match on the road last week, they were unable to capitalise on the chances they created and eventually lost the match 2-0.

Off their 10 wins last season, the hosts managed eight of those in 17 home games, though they will know that it will take an incredible effort to stop Porto, who have looked solid in the early stages of the season.

Despite ending the season in fine style, Porto were forced to hand over their Primeira Liga title last season as they came up just short of the eventual winners, Benfica, by a two-point margin.

Os Dragoes finished the 2022-23 season on 85 points in their 34 matches, recording 27 wins, four draws and just three losses in that time while securing wins in each of their final nine matches of the campaign.

Sergio Conceicao's side have continued that form this season, with 2-1 wins over Moreirense and Farense in their first two matches of the term and are now unbeaten in their last 14 league matches either side of the break.

In addition, Porto lost only one of their 17 away matches last season and are unbeaten in their last 16 on the road (W12 D4 L0), which sees them come into this fixture as the overwhelming favourites to maintain their perfect record this term.

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

Rio Ave form (all competitions):

Porto Primeira Liga form:

Porto form (all competitions):

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Team News

After missing a large part of last season with a serious knee injury, Joca has started both matches this season and should continue on the right-hand side of the attack.

Ze Manuel has been brought off the bench in the last two matches and will hope for a starting role in this match, but he may have to do a little more to displace Leonardo Ruiz at the moment.

Conceicao has three injury absentees for this match, with forwards Evanilson and Gabriel Veron both suffering from muscle injuries and only expected to return late in September.

Romario Baro is still on the road to recovery from a muscle tear, but Wendell will be eligible to return to action, having served his one-match ban against Farense last week.

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Magrao; Pantalon, Santos, Sa; Ronaldo, Guga, Oudrhiri, Costinha; Joca, Ruiz, Hernani

Porto possible starting lineup:

Costa; Mario, Cardoso, Marcano, Wendell; Eustaquio, Varela, Pepe, Martinez, Galeno; Taremi

We say: Rio Ave 1-2 Porto

Porto have started the season very well and are one of just four sides that have a 100% win record after the first two matchdays. They will want to take the lead in the league at the soonest and we expect them to secure the points in this one.

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