Estoril vs Rio Ave Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Estoril vs Rio Ave on and what time does it start? Estoril vs Rio Ave will take place on Sunday 20th August, 2023 – 15:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Estoril vs Rio Ave? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Estoril vs Rio Ave on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Estoril vs Rio Ave in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
ESTORIL
In 2021, Estoril were promoted back to the top-flight and they very nearly achieved European qualification in 2022. Last season was a lot more underwhelming as they sank into the bottom-half and they will be one of a cluster of sides, such as Portimonense and Chaves, that are concerned about dropping back down into the second-tier.
The home team, under the management of former Vizela coach Alvaro Pacheco, come into this one on the back of a thrilling start to the season whereby they were beaten by four goals to three against an Arouca side starting the season with UEFA Europa Conference League games either side. Estoril went ahead three times in that match but, remarkably, lost to a 96th minute Pedro Santos strike.
RIO AVE
‘Vilacondenses’ have one of the most sought after managers in Portuguese football at the helm. 37 year-old Luis Freire has no playing career to fall back on but has gradually risen through the managerial ranks. He guided Rio Ave to promotion from the second-tier in his first season in 2022 and then got them to finish comfortably in the middle-of-the-table in 2023.
The visitors started this season, a season in which they may seek to continue their progression and compete for a top six spot and then, as a consequence, UEFA Europa Conference League football, with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Chaves. That opening day win followed a 2-0 loss to Arouca in the second round of the Taca da Liga from a few weeks ago.
THE TEAM NEWS
ESTORIL
Alvaro Pacheco has no injuries or suspensions ahead of this one and is unlikely to make many, if any, changes after just one match of the season so is likely to stick with his usual 4-3-3 system.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Figueira; Feltes, Vital, Mangala, Araujo; Joao Marques, Holsgrove, Pavlic; Guitane, Cassiano, Tavares
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
RIO AVE
Luis Freire prefers a 3-4-3 system, as is often the case with many young Portuguese coaches, and he has a fully fit and available squad for this match so, as a result, he is expected to name an unchanged side, especially given their 2-0 defeat of Chaves last weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Magrao; Pantalon, Santos, Sa; Costinha, Oudrhir, Guga, Ronaldo; Joca, Acevedo, Hernani
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Both of these sides have the capability to be drawn into a relegation battle but also squeeze into the top-half and eye up a top six spot. Neither are high-scoring sides and, as is a theme in Portuguese football, both are reactive and struggle for goals. Given the respective starts to this season, Rio Ave will view themselves as slight favourites but, regardless of the actual end match result, it does look certain to be fairly dull for the neutral with under 2.5 goals quite likely for this one.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
