FC Porto – Rio Ave Prediction & Preview and Betting Tips (21.12.2017)

Porto and Rio Ave meet at Estádio Do Dragão, in a match for this phase of the League Cup (Group Stage). In this stadium, the history of direct confrontations is favorable to the home team, which records 5 wins and 1 draw in the last 6 matches. In fact, the last time these two teams played a match at this stadium was on 21-01-2017, in a match for the Primeira Liga that ended with the victory of Porto by (4-2). The goals of the match were scored by Felipe (18 ‘), Ivan Marcano (55’), Danilo Pereira (62 ‘) and Rui Sousa (88’), for Porto, and Guedes (35 ‘) and Roderick (49’), for Rio Ave.

Porto:

After the ª position in Group D, with points conquered, the home team managed to access this phase of the League Cup (Group Stage). The team comes to this match after a home win against Marítimo by (3-1). In the last 10 home matches Porto has won 8 and tied 2. Their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 23 of the last 26 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals and 19 out of the last 26 there were Over 2,5 goals. The team usually has no problems opening the scoring: scored the first goal in 11 of the last 14 games, of these 11 came to the break in advantage in 8 and managed to maintain the advantage until the end of the 90 ‘in 9.

FC Porto is going through a very positive moment in the season and most likely wants to take advantage of this period to add the first win in the group stage of the League Cup. The motivation of the local team remains high, as it remains in the leadership of the Portuguese league, passed the group stage of the Champions League and is still playing the Portuguese Cup.

In the last match played, FC Porto had a difficult match against the competitive Marítimo, however, he went through this challenge with great success, winning 3-1: the goals were scored by Marega (2) and Reyes. If you still want to advance in the League Cup, FC Porto must necessarily add a victory.

Because this competition is less important, coach Sérgio Conceição must take advantage of the opportunity to place on the field some less usual players, such as Hernáni, Óliver Torres, Tiquinho Soares and André André. Injuries are not a problem for the home team, so you must act without major limitations.

Rio Ave:

The visiting team reaches this stage of the League Cup (Group Stage) after having finished the previous group stage in the 3rd position of Group D, with points won. In the last match they played, for the Primeira Liga, they tied with Chaves away by (1-1). In the last 10 away matches Rio Ave has won 4, tied 4 and lost 2. The team has conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, but their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches. In 9 games, they suffered the first goal 5 times, but got the comeback in 2.

Rio Ave is one of the best teams in Portuguese football, however, it has alternated between good and bad results. Despite this irregular performance, the Rio Ave occupies a place at the top of the table of the Portuguese league and still compete for the Cup of Portugal, which eliminated the champion Benfica on the last day.

In the last match played, Rio Ave had to suffer to win a 1-1 draw at Chaves, which marked the third straight game without losing in this competition. His situation in the League Cup is very similar to that of his rival, as he added a draw in the first match against Paços de Ferreira.

The technician Miguel Cardoso should not make major changes to the starting eleven, Hélder Guedes being the reference in the offensive sector: this player stands out in Rio Ave, with 6 goals scored. On the other hand, it is important to point out the great shape of the left winger Rúben Ribeiro and João Novais.