Rio Ave v Famalicao

Rio Ave vs Famalicao Preview

Having suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Vitoria Guimaraes and Pacos Ferreira respectively, Rio Ave will be eager to set the record straight when they play their final home game of the season against Famalicao on Friday night at their Estádio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube.

However, this may be easier said than done as Rio Ave have managed to collect just one win out of their last eight matches overall in the Portuguese top flight which came in the form of a 1-0 home win over sixth-placed Arouca, but this sequence of results also include four defeats as well.

Losses to Benfica, Boavista, Vitoria Guimaraes and Pacos Ferreira have prevented the hosts from lifting themselves up into the top half of the Primeira Liga while four of Rio Ave's last eight games overall have resulted in Under 2.5 goals.

Indeed, 13 of Rio Ave's 16 home games to date this season have resulted in Under 2.5 goals and goals could be at a premium again on Friday night.

Famalicao occupy eighth place in the Primeira Liga standings and the best that the visitors can hope for is a possible seventh-placed finish if they manage to take all three points at the Estádio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube and hope that Chaves suffer a comprehensive defeat.

Famalicao have also had their fair share of problems recently in the Portuguese top flight as the visitors have failed to win any of their last four games, losing three and drawing once, and these results have ended up foiling any plans that Famalicao may have had in terms of a possible top six finish this season.

Recent defeats to Sporting Lisbon, Chaves and Porto suggest Famalicao may also struggle to gain the upper hand in this upcoming encounter away at Rio Ave on Friday night especially as the bigger picture shows Famalicao have managed to register just four wins out of their last 16 outings on the road.

Eight of Famalicao's 16 away games have also resulted in Under 2.5 goals so the goals market may be more appealing here.

Rio Ave v Famalicao Verdict

Four of the previous six meetings between Rio Ave and Famalicao have resulted in low-scoring matches and this upcoming clash on Friday night may be no exception as both teams have struggled for form in recent times in the Portuguese top flight.

Therefore, our main bet will be Under 2.5 goals @ 1.88

Other side bets worth considering:

Rio Ave win @ 2.60

Correct score: Rio Ave 1-0 @ 8.50