We promise to be a captivating encounter, river avenue will host benfica Both teams will be aiming to end the campaign on a positive note at the Estadio do Rio Ave on Friday.
Match Preview
Villacondens will be looking to maintain their impressive unbeaten run, while the Eagles will be aiming to build on their recent home win.
Rio Ave extended their unbeaten run in the Primeira Liga to 11 games on Saturday afternoon. They drew a thrilling four-goal game with visiting Portimonense, but could have done better.
Goals from Amine Oudrhiri and centre-back Renato Pantalon put Rio Ave ahead near the end of the game.
but, Portimonense Helio Barella made amends in the 97th minute with his sixth goal of the season.
Despite going 11 games unbeaten, coach Luis Freire’s side have won just two Primeira Liga games in that period.
This explains why Friday’s hosts are only 10th in the standings, 24 points behind Vitoria de Guimaraes in the last European standings.
Last weekend’s draw at Portimonense means Villacondenses have finished their entire Primeira Liga campaign without a win on the road.
25 of their 36 league points came at the Estadio do Rio Ave, keeping them safe at the bottom of the table.
Emmanuel Boateng, who played for Rio Ave in the 2014-15 season, returned to the club from China in 2022. The Ghanaian scored 13 goals in two years in the Primeira Liga.
The Primeira Liga crown was lost to a rival. Sporting LisbonBenfica relieved some of the pain with a 5-0 win over the seventh-placed side. Aruka On sunday. The Eagles recorded their biggest win since going 6-1. vizella On February 18th.
Roger Schmidt’s team took a three-goal lead at half-time thanks to goals from Angel Di Maria, Orkun Cocu and Rafa Silva.
Di Maria added his second goal after the break and substitute Casper Tengstedt took his tally to five with his fourth goal of the season.
Heading into the final weekend of Primeira Liga action, Benfica are firmly in second place in the league standings.
They are eight points behind champions Sporting and 10 points ahead of third place. portoThey are fighting to retain an automatic Europa League spot.
Benfica, unbeaten at home in 17 Primeira Liga games, have struggled on the road and failed to win back-to-back Portuguese titles.
All four of Benfica’s losses this season have come at home. Most recently they lost 2-0. Famalicao May 5th.
Having won their last 12 meetings with Rio Ave, Benfica is confident of ending the 2023-24 campaign on a high note this Friday.
Team news and updates:
The Rio Ave winger after being substituted at half-time in the draw at Portimonense. Umaro Embalo It may be advantageously deleted. Mario Brosai.
center back buy clear After assisting Pantalone from the bench last weekend, the 21-year-old could be promoted to the starting XI.
Benfica, who were four goals down after 60 minutes of last time-out, rested some players for this weekend’s final. Anthony Silva and Florentino Luis We both left early.
Danish striker Tengstedt Schmidt could make his eighth league start of the season if he rotates the forward line for the final game.
The Eagles will be without a right-back alexander bar due to muscle injury Frederick Aurnes It starts with the backline.
Forecast and Analysis
Benfica have a dominant record against Rio Ave, having won their last 12 meetings. The visitors will be confident of ending the season on a high note and Rio Ave will be fighting hard for a top-tier finish.
