Two teams with just one win from their opening three games collide when Rio Ave host Arouca in the Primeira Liga on Sunday.
The hosts have already had to face Porto and Sporting Lisbon in their opening matches, while the visitors will be looking for their first away league win since April.
Match preview
![Luis Freire (coach of Rio Ave) during Liga Portugal game between CF Estrela Amadora and Rio Ave FC at Estadio Jose Gomes, Amadora, Lisbon, Portugal on April 14, 2024 [on August 7, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/32/luis-freire.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Luis Freire (coach of Rio Ave) during Liga Portugal game between CF Estrela Amadora and Rio Ave FC at Estadio Jose Gomes, Amadora, Lisbon, Portugal on April 14, 2024 [on August 7, 2024]")
© Imago
Rio Ave come into Sunday's game with a victory over Farense sandwiched between defeats away to title-contenders Sporting Lisbon and Porto.
Their most recent defeat to Porto was a miserable day for Vilacondenses as they did not muster a single shot on goal, were 1-0 down in the opening minute, and played the entirety of the second half with 10 players following Patrick William's red card.
Luis Freire will be hoping for a response from his players, but his side have the lowest xG (expected goals) and highest xGA (expected goals against) per 90 minutes from their three league games thus far, demonstrating their lack of potency and defensive frailties in equal measure.
While some of these statistics can be attributed to playing two of Portugal's best teams, their 1-0 home win over Farense was far from convincing as the away side had double the number of shot attempts but just could not find the net.
Rio Ave do have history on their side this Sunday though, as they are unbeaten in 10 of the last 11 meetings with Arouca in all competitions.
© Imago
Arouca meanwhile will be looking to make it consecutive wins this Sunday following their 1-0 triumph over Nacional, courtesy of Henrique Araujo's first-half strike.
It was a much-needed victory for Arouca having lost their opening two league games; a 1-0 defeat at home to Vitoria was followed up with 3-1 defeat at Moreirense.
Manager Gonzalo Garcia signed for Arouca in May, and having lost their star striker Rafa Mujica to Al-Sadd this summer, the manager has brought in a number of new faces to build the team in his own image.
Goalkeeper Nico Mantl from RB Salzburg and right-back Tiago Esgaio from SC Braga are the standout signings, but Garcia has also added a number of free transfers and loanees to bulk out his squad as they look to build on an impressive seventh-place finish last season.
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
Team News
© Imago
Patrick is suspended for the hosts following his red card against Porto in the previous league game, with Jonathan Panzo the most likely candidate to deputise in his place.
Rio Ave otherwise have a fully-fit squad to pick from here, and Freire could look to freshen up his attacking line by recalling Fabio Ronaldo or Ole Pohlmann to partner Clayton.
Arouca meanwhile do have some injury concerns here, with Nino Galovic, Eboue Kouassi and Yusuf Lawal expected to miss out.
Pedro Santos is also a slight doubt for this game, but having come off the bench in the victory over Nacional, the defender could well be pushing to start here.
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Jhonatan; Pantalon, Santos, Panzo; Tome, Oudrhir, Novais, Vrousai; Ronaldo, Morais, Clayton
Arouca possible starting lineup:
Mantl; Esgaio, Rocha, Lamba, Weverson; Fukui, Simao; Jason, Gonzalez, Sylla; Araujo
We say: Rio Ave 1-2 Arouca
This could be a close battle between two teams who are yet to get firing this season, but with the number of chances that Rio Ave are giving to their opponents in these opening games, Arouca could capitalise on these frailties if they take their chances.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
