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

The Vilacondenses head into the weekend unbeaten in seven consecutive games against the visitors and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.

Match preview

Rio Ave were denied successive victories for the first time since May as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of fellow newcomer Casa Pia when the sides squared off last Sunday.

In a cagey affair at the Estadio Pina Manique, Nigerian international Saviour Godwin came up clutch for the hosts as he netted the only goal of the game six minutes after the hour mark.

Prior to that, Luis Freire's men ended their two-game losing streak on October 24 when they picked up a 1-0 victory over 10-man Portimonense courtesy of a 45th-minute effort from Emmanuel Boateng.

With 12 points from 11 games, Rio Ave are currently 13th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with 12th-placed Vizela and three above 15th-placed Gil Vicente in the relegation playoff spot.

The Vilacondenses now return home, where they have put together a string of impressive results and are currently on a run of three wins from four matches — with a September's 3-2 loss against Braga being the exception.

Boavista, on the other hand, failed to return to winning ways last time out as they fought back from behind to claim a 2-2 draw with Vizela in front of their home fans.

In an end-to-end affair at the Estadio do Bessa, Matheus Pereira and Kevin Zhou scored to cancel out Masaki Watai's early opener and hand the visitors a first-half advantage before Yusupha Njie levelled matters from the penalty spot in the 78th minute.

Petit's side have now failed to win any of their last five matches across all competitions, claiming two draws and losing three, including a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Divisao de Honra side AD Machico in the Taca de Portugal on October 16.

Boavista have now picked up five wins, two draws and lost four of their 11 matches this season to collect 17 points and sit eighth in the Primeira Liga standings, but could potentially rise level on points with fourth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes.

However, Sunday's game pits them against an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in their last six attempts, losing four and claiming two draws since a 1-0 victory in February 2019.

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

L

D

W

L

W

L

Rio Ave form (all competitions):

Boavista Primeira Liga form:

W

W

L

D

L

D

Benfica form (all competitions):

Team News

Rio Ave suffered an injury blow against Casa Pia as Aziz, who has five goals and three assists this season, was forced off inside the opening half hour.

The Ghanian forward is ruled out of Sunday's matchup and we expect former Sporting Lisbon striker Leonardo Ruiz to come into the XI, teaming up with Boateng and Miguel Baeza in attack.

Meanwhile, Boavista will take to the pitch without Portuguese youngster Martim Tavares after the 18-year-old came off with a game-ending injury last weekend.

After missing nearly two months through injury, Njie returned to the scoresheet with his strike against Vizela and we expect the 28-year-old to return into the starting XI.

Former Bordeaux defender Ricardo Mangas remains out of contention for Petit's side as he serves the second of his three-match ban for picking up a straight red against Vitoria de Guimaraes on October 23.

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Jhonatan; William, Santos, Sa; Costinha, Samaris, Guga, Amaral; Baeza, Ruiz, Boateng

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Bracali; Cannon, Sasso, Agra; Malheiro, Makouta, Perez, Onyemaechi; Watai, Gorre; Nije

We say: Rio Ave 2-1 Boavista

Sunday's game sees two evenly-matched sides go head to head and we anticipate a cagey affair at the Estadio dos Arcos. However, looking at past results between the sides and Rio Ave's recent home form, we are backing the newcomers to claim a slender victory in this one and extend their unbeaten run against Boavista.

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