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

The Vilacondenses are the only side yet to taste victory away from home this season and will head into the weekend looking to end this poor record.

Match preview

Porto ensured they remain within touching distance of league leaders Benfica as they picked up a 3-1 victory over Farense when the sides met at the Estadio de Sao Luis last Sunday.

Evanilson and Alan Varela found the back of the net to put the visitors in a commanding lead heading into half time, and after Bruno Duarte pulled one back from the spot in the 59th minute, Evanilson grabbed his second of the game to seal the win.

Porto have now gone seven consecutive games without defeat across all competitions, claiming one draw and six wins, including a 4-0 victory over Estoril Praia in the Taca de Portugal fifth round on January 9.

Sergio Conceicao's men have won 14 of their 19 Primeira Liga matches so far while losing three and claiming two draws to collect 44 points and sit third in the table, five points behind first-placed Sporting Lisbon.

Porto will be backing themselves to pick up where they left off last weekend as they go up against a Rio Ave side who have failed to win 19 of their last 20 meetings, losing 15 and claiming four draws since September 2008.

Luis Freire's men were left spitting feathers on Wednesday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Estoril Praia when the sides squared off at the Estadio dos Arcos.

Following a goalless first half, Emmanuel Boateng set the hosts on their way as he broke the deadlock with a 56th-minute effort but Heriberto Tavares restored parity with just five minutes left to play.

Rio Ave have now failed to taste victory in three games on the spin, picking up two points from the last nine available, and have won just one of their last nine outings since mid-November.

With 17 points from their 19 Primeira Liga matches, the Vilacondenses currently sit 16th in the league standings, four points above rock-bottom Vizela and one behind Estrela Amadora just above the dotted line.

Rio Ave's underwhelming campaign has been owing to their struggles on the road as they have failed to taste victory on their travels in the league, losing five and picking up four draws in their nine games.

This weekend's clash becomes more daunting for Rio Ave as they take on a Porto side who have won each of their last eight home games across all competitions, stretching back to a 1-0 defeat against Estoril on November 3.

Porto Primeira Liga form:

L

W

D

W

W

W

Porto form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

W

W

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

D

L

W

L

D

D

Team News

Porto will take to the pitch without 36-year-old defender Ivan Marcano, who continues his long road to full fitness after sustaining an ACL injury back in September.

The Dragoes will also have to cope without Zaidu Sanusi and 31-year-old striker Mehdi Taremi, who are currently away on international duties with Nigeria and Iran respectively.

Evanilson has been on song for Porto in recent weeks and the Brazilian forward, who has seven goals in his last four games, should spearhead the hosts' attack once again.

As for Rio Ave, experienced midfielder Amine Oudrhiri is currently suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Estoril last time out.

In his absence, 29-year-old Joao Teixeira should come into the starting side, teaming up with Joao Graca and Portuguese midfielder Joca Fernandes at the centre of the park.

On the injury front, the Freire's will be unable to name Andre Pereira, who has missed each of the last four games after coming off injured against Vitoria de Guimaraes on December 23.

Porto possible starting lineup:

Costa; Mario, Pepe, Cardoso, Wendell; Varela, Gonzalez; Conceicao, Pepe, Galeno; Evanilson

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Jhonatan; Sa, Pantalon, William; Costinha, Graca, Teixeira, Guga, Ronaldo; Boateng, Ruiz

We say: Porto 3-0 Rio Ave

Porto will be licking their lips as they take on a Rio Ave side who have struggled to impose themselves on their travels. Both form and history is on the Dragoes side this weekend and we are backing them to claim all three points unscathed.

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