Rio Ave are enjoying a solid campaign in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. The minnows are currently eighth-place in the table and could move up to fifth with an away victory over Portimonense on Friday night.
The visitors have taken 18 points from their first 13 league outings in the Portuguese top-flight. In truth, their recent league form has been inconsistent, as they have recorded just two wins in their last seven league outings.
Last time out, Rio Ave recorded a 1-0 home win over Gil Vicente. The result means that the visitors last eight league games have produced under 2.5 goals.
Carlos Carvahal’s team have failed to win in their last three away games in the Primeira Liga, suffering defeat in their last two outings. Their recent away matches in the Portuguese top-flight have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last six matches.
One positive for Rio Ave is that they have won four of their last five meetings with Portimonense in all competitions.
Portimonense are not experiencing a great season in the Portuguese top-flight, as they are 16th place in the table, just three points clear of the relegation zone.
A 2-0 defeat at Vitoria Guimaraes last time out means that the home side has now recorded just one win in their last 11 league outings. Their recent outings in the Primeira Liga have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in six of their last eight outings in the Portuguese top-flight.
The team from Portimao have struggled for victories on home soil of late, as a 2-1 victory over Famalicao last time out ended a run of five home league games without a win.
Forebet predicts that Rio Ave will record a victory in a low-scoring encounter to move up to fifth place in the table.