Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 7 March 2024, 21:45
Two sides at opposite ends of the table go head to head in round 25 of the Primeira as Rio Ave play host to Braga at the Estadio dos Arcos on Saturday.

While Os Arcebispos are well on course to secure a place in Europe, this weekend's hosts find themselves scrambling for points just above the relegation zone.

Match preview

Rio Ave failed to steer clear of the relegation zone as they played out a goalless draw with Moreirense at the Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas last Saturday.

With nothing to separate the sides in normal time, the hosts were awarded a penalty in the second minute of stoppage time, but Rio Ave were spared their blushes after Alan's attempt crashed into the crossbar.

Rio Ave have now gone three consecutive games without a win, picking up two points from the last nine available, and have won just two of their last 14 league matches since November 5.

Having returned to the Primeira Liga in 2020, this poor run of results has put the Vilacondenses' top-flight status under threat as they find themselves scrambling for points at the wrong end of the table with 10 games left to go.

Luis Freire's men have won just four of their 24 league matches so far while losing nine and claiming 11 draws to collect 23 points and sit 13th in the table, just one point above Estrela Amadora in the relegation playoff spot.

However, Rio Ave will be happy to return home, where they are unbeaten in their last seven matches, picking up three wins and four draws since losing successive games against Moreirense and Farense back in October.

Braga, on the other hand, turned in another performance of the highest quality as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Estrela Amadora at the Estadio Braga Municipal last Saturday.

Following a relatively uneventful first half, Simon Banza broke the deadlock with a 57th-minute penalty before Bruma and Roger Fernandes scored late goals to cap off a solid team display.

Braga have now won four games on the bounce for the first time since claiming five straight victories between September and October — scoring 12 goals and keeping two clean sheets — a run which has reignited hopes of securing a Champions League spot.

With 49 points from 24 matches, Artur Jorge's side are currently fourth in the Primeira Liga standings, five points above Vitoria de Guimaraes just outside the European qualifying places and nine points off second-placed Benfica.

Braga will be backing themselves to equal their longest winning streak this season on Saturday as they take on an opposing side who have lost each of their most recent three meetings and have failed to win their last five since scraping a 4-3 victory in June 2020.

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

D

D

W

L

D

D

Braga Primeira Liga form:

D

W

L

W

W

W

Braga form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

W

W

Team News

Rio Ave will take to the pitch without experienced forward Andre Perreira, who has been out of action since suffering a severe injury against Vitoria de Guimaraes in December.

Renato Pantalon missed last week's draw with Moreirense after picking up a red card against Sporting Lisbon on February 25 but the Croatian defender could return to the starting XI this weekend.

As for Braga, Jorge will be unable to call upon the services of Spanish defender Adrian Marin, who has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury against Porto on January 14.

Ricardo Horta was forced off injured inside the opening half-hour against Estrela last time out and the Portuguese forward, who has seven goals and three assists under his belt, will play no part in Saturday's game.

In his absence, 29-year-old Bruma should come into the starting XI, forming the front three with Abel Ruiz and in-form striker Banza, who has netted 18 league goals in 18 appearances this season.

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Jhonatan; Sa, Santos, Nobrega; Costinha, Oudrhiri, Silva, Vrousai; Ronaldo, Aziz, Embalo

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Mendes, Saatci, Oliveira, Borja; Moutinho, Carvalho, Fernandes; Banza, Bruma, Ruiz

We say: Rio Ave 1-2 Braga

High-flying Braga have put together a fine run of form in recent weeks and look set to mount a late charge for a top-two finish. Jorge's men take on an out-of-sorts Rio Ave side who have struggled to get going this year and we fancy them to extend their winning streak against the hosts.

Previews by email

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League is back and that can only mean one thing. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City are confident of agreeing a lucrative new contract with Erling Haaland after Pep Guardiola agreed to stay, talkSPORT understands. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to build on their impressive win over Osasuna before the international break when they resume their domestic campaign with a clash against Leganes on Sunday evening. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a mixed injury update ahead of the Reds' imminent showdowns with Southampton in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The January transfer window is an opportunity for teams to fix their summer spending on the cheap, or in these cases, for free. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz may have transformed himself at Arsenal - but he's not on the level of his Premier League rivals. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Reece James has suggested that he is remaining upbeat over his latest hamstring injury. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Mohamed Salah is one of the world's best players and he has become one of the top five Liverpool goalscorers ever. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Phil Foden is a superstar for Manchester City, but he still opts to wear an unconventional number at his boyhood club. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The latest instalment of the Basque derby will take place at San Mames on Sunday night, with Athletic Bilbao welcoming rivals Real Sociedad for what should be a highly-charged affair. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa will be looking to extend a Premier League feat when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Having entered the international break with a run of three straight defeats, both Torino and Monza will try to stop the rot on Sunday, when they lock horns in Turin. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Third kits in the Premier League have caught the eye this season and you will certainly notice a unique difference from typical strips… 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Premier League home clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon is their "biggest game of the season" so far, according to Gunners expert Charles Watts. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sevilla will attempt to bounce back from successive defeats in La Liga when they continue their campaign with a fixture against Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Ramon on Sunday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will endeavour to maintain or increase their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table when they pit their wits against Southampton on Sunday at St Mary's. 22 November 2024 talksport.com There can't be many things better for a football fan than to see your side score within the first minute of a game. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fifth will welcome fourth in an intriguing La Liga contest on Sunday afternoon, with Villarreal making the trip to El Sadar Stadium to tackle Osasuna. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Jose Mourinho once confirmed he received an offer from the FA to become England manager after leaving his first spell as Chelsea boss. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Newcastle have the chance to close in on the Premier League's top four on Monday when they host West Ham, live on talkSPORT. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by 19 places and 24 points in the Premier League table, Southampton and Liverpool cross paths in Sunday's Premier League showdown at St Mary's Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is expecting to be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for Sunday's Premier League bout with Southampton at St Mary's. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to make it successive victories in La Liga when they resume their campaign with a clash against Leganes on Sunday evening. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League has been treated to the talents of some of the best African footballers of all time over the years. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton head coach Russell Martin will be forced into at least two changes for Sunday's Premier League clash with leaders Liverpool at St Mary's. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City face another legal dispute with the Premier League after amendments to top-flight sponsorship rules were voted through. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to continue their sensational unbeaten streak, Lille will welcome a struggling Rennes outfit to Decathlon Arena on Sunday afternoon for a Ligue 1 clash. 22 November 2024 talksport.com If Micah Richards had a glimmer of hope he would replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host, he is sorely mistaken. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pedro Porro's agent is reportedly 'convinced' that Ruben Amorim will attempt to bring the Tottenham Hotspur defender to Manchester United following his arrival at Old Trafford.