Rio Ave face Estoril Praia in a relegation six-pointer at the Estadio dos Arcos on Monday.
Luis Freire's side sit only six points above the Liga Portugal 2 trapdoor, while Canarinhos are faring only relatively better after the completion of the opening half of the 2022-23 Primeira Liga campaign.
Match preview
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Rio Ave are currently situated in 13th position in the standings, precautionarily watching over their shoulders at the sight of the relegation playoff position.
Freire's side have encountered struggles with the step-up in division after being promoted as winners of the second tier of Portuguese football last season.
Eight defeats across the 2022-23 league campaign have left the Vila do Conde-based outfit on the brink of being dragged into the heavily-congested relegation battle.
Struggles in front of goal against the familiar backdrop of the Estadio dos Arcos are another issue that Rio Ave need to improve sooner than later after finding the back of the net on only eight occasions at home across the current Primeira Liga season.
Hoping to bounce back following a 3-1 defeat at Vizela on January 29, the hosts failed to return to winning ways eight days later as Youssef Chermiti's 84th-minute strike was enough for Sporting Lisbon to leave the majority in attendance disappointed.
Freire's side will face Primeira Liga title challengers Porto in their next match, hoping to make the journey to the Estadio do Dragao with three points under the belt at 9pm on Monday.
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Present in the top tier of Portuguese football since the 2021-22 campaign, Estoril Praia are only one position and a point above Rio Ave.
Canarinhos still have Santa Clara, who occupy the relegation playoff position in the standings, in their sight, meaning that Monday evening's visitors to the Estadio dos Arcos will need to improve on their recent run of mixed results if they want to avoid dropping down a division at the conclusion of the 2022-23 Primeira Liga season.
On the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Vitoria de Guimaraes on February 4, Bruno Baltazar's side returned to the home dressing room with all three points courtesy of a 2-1 victory over 10-man Boavista on Thursday evening.
Estoril's eight goals on their current Primeira Liga travels are one fewer than Rio Ave have netted in front of their supporters this season.
Team News
Following his side's defeat to Sporting Lisbon, Rio Ave manager Luis Freire could look to freshen things up for the visit of Estoril Praia.
On the back of replacing all his starting front three throughout Monday's encounter, Freire could recall Andre Pereira and Paulo Vitor to the starting 11 at the expense of two from Miguel Baeza, Emmanuel Boateng and Leonardo Acevedo.
After coming off against Ruben Amorim's side, centre-back Josue Sa should be fit to slot into a familiar-looking Rio Grande defence alongside Renato Pantalon and Patrick.
In the wake of their victory over Boavista, it is unlikely that Estoril Praia boss Bruno Baltazar will make alterations to his side for the journey to the Estadio dos Arcos.
Attacking assets Tiago Gouveia and Tiago Araujo will again take their place alongside Francisco Geraldes behind lone striker Joao Carlos.
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Jhonatan; Patrick, Sa, Pantalon; Costinha, Guga, Samaris, Rodrigues; Baeza, Vitor, Pereira
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Santos, Vital, Mexer, Joaozinho; Ndiaye, Carvalho; Geraldes, Araujo, Gouveia; Carlos
We say: Rio Ave 1-2 Estoril Praia
Without a victory in their previous six Primeira Liga matches, we predict that Rio Ave will have to wait another week to register a much-needed win, as Estoril Praia come away from the Estadio dos Arcos with all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
