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

Porto welcome Rio Ave to the Estadio do Dragao on Monday evening as the hosts aim to maintain their title charge.

The visitors picked up a surprise point away to table-toppers Sporting Lisbon the last time they were on their travels and will be hopeful that they can pull off another surprise result this time around.

Match preview

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Sergio Conceicao 's side have responded to their Taca da Liga semi-final defeat by Sporting well, seeing off Farense 1-0 in the Primeira Liga before beating Gil Vicente in the Taca de Portugal quarter-finals last time out.

The reigning Portuguese champions have been scoring goals for fun throughout 2020-21. Their 37-goal haul after just 15 league games means Porto are the top-flight's top scorers, which is no surprise considering they have found the back of the net in every domestic clash this campaign.

Twenty-eight-year-old midfielder Sergio Oliveira has been the key man for Conceicao's men so far. The Portugal international has scored seven league goals and provided four assists, firing his team to second place in the Primeira Liga standings.

The Dragons are looking to win their third league crown in four years but are currently four points behind Ruben Amorim 's men, who are yet to lose a league game.

Porto will be desperate to retain their title and cannot afford to lose any more ground on the league leaders.

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Miguel Cardoso will be taking charge of his first game as Rio Ave manager on Monday, and the 48-year-old head coach could not have wished for a trickier task to start his reign with.

Ex-manager Pedro Cunha only lasted four games at the helm as Vilacondenses appointed their third manager since Carlos Carvalhal departed the club in the summer.

Rio Ave were unable to build on the impressive point they picked up at the Estadio Jose Alvalade as they were defeated 2-1 by Santa Clara last time out.

Cardoso's men are currently sitting in 10th position in the table after picking up 15 points from their opening 15 games of the campaign. However, despite their mid-table status, the Estadio dos Arcos will be looking nervously over their shoulders.

The Primeira Liga is extremely tight this season, and Rio Ave are only two points above the relegation playoff place. Any point is precious for sides in their position, and they will be hoping the bounce of a new man at the helm will provide them with the motivation they need to secure one against Porto.

Porto Primeira Liga form: WWWWDW

Porto form (all competitions): WWDLWW

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form: LLLWDL

Rio Ave form (all competitions): LLWLDL

Team News

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Experienced centre-back Ivan Marcano is yet to feature this season after injuring his cruciate ligament back in May and will be unavailable for the visit of Rio Ave.

Porto have been struck by an outbreak of coronavirus within the squad meaning Romario Baro, Nanu and Joao Mario are having to self-isolate and are ruled out of this one.

Rio Ave are without several first-team players themselves, including long-term absentee Junio, who suffered a fibula fracture last season.

He is joined on the treatment table by midfielders Filipe Augusto, Nikola Jambor, Pele and centre-forward Andre Pereira.

Porto possible starting lineup:

Marchesin; Sanusi, Pepe, Mbemba, Manafa; Uribe, Grujic, Oliveira; Diaz, Marega, Corona

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Kieszek; Pinto, Borevkovic, Santos, Coentrao; Tarantini, Guga; Meshino, Chico Geraldes, Gabrielzinho; Gelson

We say: Porto 3-1 Rio Ave

Porto have been in good form of late in the league and should have far too much quality for this Rio Ave side. Conceicao's men are desperate to close the gap on Sporting, and only the three points will do on Monday.

Top betting tip

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