Rio Avevs.AVS

The Rioavistas will be looking to make it five games without defeat this weekend, while the visitors will be hoping to make a positive start to life without Daniel Ramos.

Match preview

Petit's Rio Ave are currently on a commendable if mixed run of form at the moment, having lost just one of their last eight matches across all competitions while otherwise alternating between wins and draws.

Last time out, Tiago Morais rescued a point for the Rioavistas with a 96th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with 12th-placed Arouca.

That result left Petit's side 10th in the Portuguese top flight ahead of this weekend's clash, with 25 points to show for their efforts in their 21 games to date.

Sunday's hosts have been particularly strong on their own turf in recent years, and considering that their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sporting Lisbon last month was their first league loss in front of a home crowd since October 2023, their record should give them great confidence against a relegation threatened team.

That being said, Rio Ave are still just seven points above the relegation playoff spot despite being mid-table, and they must avoid complacency to get the job done and take all three points this weekend.

On the other hand, promoted side AVS have endured a tumultuous season so far, and things are set for another shakeup after the sacking of Daniel Ramos earlier this week.

The former boss departed the club after just 11 games in charge and recorded just one win during his short tenure - a 1-0 victory over Gil Vicente on January 27.

Most recently, AVS lost 2-1 at home to Santa Clara, a match in which they succumbed to an unfortunate own goal from Aderllan Santos and were only able to find the back of their opponents' net in stoppage time.

That result left them in the Primeira Liga's relegation playoff spot, and made it clear just how important appointing the right chief will be with the threat of demotion looming.

On Sunday, the managerless relegation candidates will be significant underdogs, but a win could see them leapfrog rivals Estrela should results elsewhere prove favourable, and they may even benefit from the new manager bounce if they can find a replacement for Ramos in time.

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

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Rio Ave form (all competitions):

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AVS Primeira Liga form:

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Team News

Rio Ave currently have a fully fit squad to choose from, and though boss Petit is likely to pick a similar XI to the one that featured against Arouca, he could hand a start to goalscorer Tiago Morais this weekend.

Making way would be right-sided forward Andre Luiz, and Morais could line up alongside Ole Pohlmann and Kiko Bondoso behind striker Clayton up top.

As for AVS, they will welcome back midfielder Gustavo Assuncao after he missed his side's loss against Santa Clara through suspension.

Assuncao could patrol the middle third alongside Jaume Grau and recent signing Lucas Fernandes this time around, flanked by Tomas Tavares and Rafael Rodrigues.

In the backline, centre-back Aderllan Santos will have the chance to make up for his own goal last time out as part of a defensive trio featuring Ignacio Rodriguez and Cristian Castro.

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Miszta; Vrousai, Ndoj, Abbey, Richards; Tiknaz, Neto; Morais, Pohlmann, Bondoso; Clayton

AVS possible starting lineup:

Ochoa; Rodriguez, Santos, Castro; Tavares, Assuncao, Grau, Fernandes, Rodrigues; Luis, Mercado

We say: Rio Ave 2-0 AVS

Rio Ave may be in mixed form at the moment, but their record of avoiding defeat means that they are likely to take at least one point from this weekend's clash.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

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