Rio Ave will take on Arouca in the Primeira Liga on Sunday, 1 September in a match between two teams that are locked on the same number of points after three matches this season.
Both clubs have picked up one win and two losses from their opening three games of the season which makes this a) a tough match to call and b) an important one to win as they both look to jump into the top half of the table.
As part of our latest round of Primeira Liga predictions, here is our Rio Ave vs Arouca prediction.
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Rio Ave vs Arouca prediction: A tough away fixture for the Eagles
Key stats
- Rio Ave have a 100% record at home this season.
- Arouca have lost every match they've played away from home this season.
- Neither of Rio Ave's last two matches have produced more than two goals.
Correct score prediction: Rio Ave 2-0 Arouca
Rio Ave are a team who are far more comfortable at home than away while Arouca are the complete opposite which makes this match more of a mismatch than initially meets the eye. Arouca lost by a margin of two goals in their last away match while Rio Ave managed to keep a clean sheet in their most recent home match.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The hosts are the narrow favourites
- Home: 13/10 (2.30) – 43.5%
- Draw: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%
- Away: 2/1 (3.00) – 33.3%
The Rio Ave vs Arouca odds indicate that this will be a tough match to call, which is to expected given they both currently have the same number of points in the league table.
Ladbrokes consider Rio Ave the favourites and have given them a 43.5% chance of winning on Sunday while Arouca have been given a 33.3% of winning. The draw, which would be a better result for Arouca, is considered the least likely outcome.
For more predictions over the next 24 hours, check out our free betting tips for today page.
Most recent H2Hs: Nothing in it
The tight odds are also backed up the recent results in matches between Rio Ave and Arouca. The two matches last season finished all square but Arouca did manage to defeat Rio Ave in the cup at the beginning of the campaign. The season prior to that, Rio Ave completed the double over Arouca.
Portugal Primeira Liga 19/04/24
Rio Ave
Arouca
Portugal Primeira Liga 10/12/23
Arouca
Rio Ave
Portugal League Cup 30/07/23
Arouca
Rio Ave
Portugal Primeira Liga 28/04/23
Rio Ave
Arouca
Portugal Primeira Liga 12/11/22
Arouca
Rio Ave
Rio Ave preview: Looking to bounce back from Porto humbling
Rio Ave's points tally is perhaps a little disproportionate as their two away matches so far this season have been against Sporting Lisbon and Porto. In fact, they have done better than anyone else has so far against Sporting, so it hasn't been as bad a start as it looks on the face of it. With those games out of the way, this home fixture will be treated as the start of their season.
Predicted lineup: Jhonatan (GK), Pantalon, Santos, Panzo, Tome, Oudrhir, Novais, Vrousai, Ronaldo, Clayton & Morais
Portugal Primeira Liga 01/09/24
W
Arouca
0
Rio Ave
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 24/08/24
L
FC Porto
2
Rio Ave
0
Portugal Primeira Liga 17/08/24
W
SC Farense
0
Rio Ave
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 09/08/24
L
Sporting
3
Rio Ave
1
Europe Friendlies 03/08/24
L
Swansea
3
Rio Ave
0
Arouca preview: Trying to beat the drop once again
Arouca couldn't have come closer to suffering relegation last season so they will be desperate to avoid finding themselves in a similar position this time around. Their away form will need to improve if they are to be successful in that.
Predicted lineup: Mantl (GK), Esgaio, Rocha, Lamba, Weverson, Fukui, Simao, Jason, Gonzalez, Sylla & Araujo
Portugal Primeira Liga 01/09/24
L
Rio Ave
1
Arouca
0
Portugal Primeira Liga 25/08/24
W
Nacional
0
Arouca
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 18/08/24
L
Moreirense
3
Arouca
1
Portugal Primeira Liga 12/08/24
L
Guimaraes
1
Arouca
0
Portugal Primeira Liga 18/05/24
L
Guimaraes
3
Arouca
1
Player to watch: Clayton
It's been a difficult start to the season for Rio Ave thanks in large to their difficult fixture list but things should start to become brighter for the club from here on out. Star striker, Clayton, hasn't had the best of starts either but he has still managed to get on the scoresheet in one of their games and he will be looking to fill his boots here.
This is Clayton's second spell in the Primeira Liga following two years with Casa Pia between 2022-2024. A loan spell back in Brazil at the end of last season gave him a breather from Portuguese football but he is now back with a point to prove.
