Rio Avevs.Farense

In their league-opening matches, the Porto-based club were beaten by the defending Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon while their Faro opponents lost to 10-man Moreirense.

Match preview

A week removed from their 3-1 loss to Sporting, last season's 11th-placed side hope to record their first win of the 2024-25 league campaign.

Despite ending in the competition's bottom half in the previous campaign, the 11th-placed side had the eighth-best home record in 23-24, ending the season with a 12-match undefeated run in front of their supporters.

Luis Freire's men seek to protect their unbeaten streak that stretches back to November 2023, keen to get the better of the last team that beat them on home soil when they lost to this weekend's opponents 4-3.

Since that loss in late October, Rio Ave have notched five wins and seven draws and hope to extend that run on Saturday.

Farense twice came from a goal down in that seven-goal thriller against this weekend's hosts, scoring two in the game's closing stages to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 win.

Claudio Falcao and Rui Costa notched the game-changing goals, and Jose Mota will hope for improved execution from his players despite Costa's summer departure to FC Tobol.

The visitors must recover from last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Moreirense, despite their gameweek one opponent playing the last half-hour with 10 players after Sidnei Tavares' sending-off.

However, Mota's men must show a different version of the side that notched just one road victory in their final seven away matches of the previous season, losing five and playing out one draw.

Despite beating Rio Ave in the corresponding fixture last term, much has changed at both clubs since and it remains to be seen if Leoes de Faro can secure a repeat success this weekend.

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

L

SC Farense Primeira Liga form:

L

Team News

Ole Pohlmann should have shaken off the issue that forced him off late on against defending champions Sporting last weekend.

Clayton scored a debut goal for Rio Ave in the loss and the Brazilian hopes to add to that tally as the home side seek maximum points.

Marco Matias is doubtful for Farense following last week's injury that saw the wide attacker withdrawn before the hour.

Rivaldo starred in the 2-1 home loss, setting up Alex Bermejo's goal and the right-back is expected to keep his spot in defence.

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Jhonatan; Pantalon, Santos, Nobrega; Vrousai, Novais, Oudrhiri, Morais; Graca, Gomes; Clayton

SC Farense possible starting lineup:

Velho; Rivaldo, Moreno, Africo, Talys; Neto, Falcao; Belloumi, Soares, Bermejo; Poveda

We say: Rio Ave 1-1 SC Farense

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