Preview: Rio Ave vs. Moreirense

Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Primeira Liga clash between Rio Ave and Moreirense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Both looking to make it three wins from three, Rio Ave and Moreirense go head to head at the Estadio dos Arcos in round 12 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday. 

The Vilacondenses head into the weekend as one of just five sides yet to lose a home game in the league this season, having picked up two wins and three draws from their five matches, and will look to extend this fine streak. 

Match preview
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Rio Ave picked up consecutive wins for the first time this season as they edged out Campeonato de Portugal outfit Alverca on penalties to avoid an upset in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal last Saturday.  

The Vilacondenses left it late at the Complexo Desportivo FC Alverca as Karem Zoabi and Clayton scored in the finals seven minutes to cancel out goals from Alysson Silva and Anthony Carter before picking up a 4-2 victory on penalties.
 
This followed a 2-0 victory over Boavista at the Estadio do Bessa on November 2, when Clayton and Brandon Aguilera scored in either hand to condemn Braga to their sixth defeat of the campaign. 

Last weekend’s victory over Boavista offered a much-needed respite for Petit’s men, who had failed to win any of their previous six league matches, picking up three draws and losing three since mid September. 

Off the back of an 11th-placed finish last season, Rio Ave have won three of their 11 Primeira Liga matches so far while losing five and claiming three draws to collect three points and sit 12th in the standings.

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Over in the North, Moreirense booked their spot in the fifth round of the Taca de Portugal on Sunday when they picked up an impressive 2-1 victory over Porto at the Parque Joaquim de Almeida Freitas. 

Pepe opened the scoring in the 35th minute to put Porto in front and after Luis Asue restored parity in the 40th minute, 24-year-old Alan converted from the spot in the 77th minute to complete the comeback. 

Moreirense now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they have won three of their most recent four matches, scoring six goals and keeping two clean sheets, having failed to win the five games preceding this run. 

Cesar Peixoto’s men have picked up five wins and two draws from their 11 Primeira Liga matches to sit eighth in the table, but could move level with fifth-placed Braga with all three points this weekend. 

However, it is worth noting that Os verdes e brancos have managed just one win in their most recent seven games against Rio Ave while losing three and claiming three draws since May 2019. 

Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

Rio Ave form (all competitions):

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:

Moreirense form (all competitions):

Team News
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Rio Ave will come into this one without the services of Amine Oudrhiri, who is currently suspended after picking up a straight red card against Boavista last Saturday. 

On the injury front, the Vilacondenses remain without Jonathan Panzo, who is ruled okay through a knee problem, and Francisco Petrasso, who has missed each of the last four games. 

Moreirense, on the other hand, will have to cope without the services of 27-year-old defender Alhassane Sylla, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines. 

Portuguese forward Hernani Infande has been out of action since picking up a ligament problem in March’s game against Arouca and the 23-year-old will play no part in this weekend’s clash. 

They are joined on the Os verdes e brancos’ injury table by Brazilian midfielder Guilherme Liberato, who has been out of action since mid August through a knee problem.  

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Miszta; Vrousai, William, Santos, Richards; Tiknaz, Neto, Bondoso; Morais, Clayton, Pohlmann

Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin, Pinto, Marcelo, Ponck, Frimpong; Ismael, Ofori; Benny, Alanzinho, Madson; Schettine

We say: Rio Ave 1-1 Moreirense
Fresh off the back of reaching the fifth round of the Taca de Portugal, Rio Ave and Moreirense head into this with high spirits and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling. However, both sides are evenly matched on paper and we predict they will cancel out each other’s efforts. 

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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