Two sides at opposite ends of the table go head to head in round 25 of the Primeira Liga 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
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Rio Ave failed to steer clear of the danger 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.
The Vilacondenses 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 Rio Ave's top-flight status under threat as they find themselves hovering around the relegation zone 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.
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Braga, on the other hand, turned in another performance of the highest quality as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Estrela 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 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.
Team News
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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, is a major doubt for 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 goals in 18 league 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 dominance in this fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
