Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Rio Ave
Match Time & Date:
18/01/2025
19:00
Prediction: 1-2
Sporting
Rio Ave will try to claim a major scalp in the Primeira Liga round 18 when they take on Sporting CP on Saturday evening. Os Rioavistas did well to beat Casa Pia (3-1) in the Taca de Portugal last 16, meaning that they are high on confidence ahead of Saturday’s Primeira Liga game. With no fresh injury worries to report, Rio Ave boss Petit is unlikely to make changes to the team that won the midweek clash.
The Lions, on the other hand, are eager to retain top position in the Primeira Liga standings. The league leaders are after their seventh away win of the season and given their fine record at Estadio do Rio Ave, we believe that there is a big value in betting on Viktor Gyokeres and Co. The likes of Daniel Braganca, Pedro Goncalves, Ruben Vinagre, and Nuno Santos are out of contention with injuries for the visiting team.
Highlighted Team (Sporting):
When it comes to official club members, Portugal giants Sporting Lisbon are the sixth club in the world. Commonly referred to as Leoes which is Portuguese for Lions, Sporting Lisbon were founded in 1906 and are one of the founders of the Primeira Liga.
Sporting’s main rivals are Benfica, with both teams contesting the Lisbon Derby, one of the most fierce ones in Europe. Lions play their games at Estadio Jose Alvelade in front of 50,000 people and are the third most successful club in the country with 46 titles in Portuguese competitions and a title in the European Cup Winner’s Cup from 1963-64.
During this time that is also known as the club’s golden years, Sporting Lisbon won the majority of their 18 Primeira Liga titles in total. Sporting Lisbon boasts the quality football youth academy system which has yielded world-class footballers such as Paulo Furte, Simao Sabrosa, Nani and Ballon d’Or winners Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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