Rio Ave vs Benfica Prediction & Betting Tips | 17/01/2026

Rio Ave vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Tips | 17 January 2026

Bojan Jovanovic • Football expert

14 January 2026 • 16:24 UTC • 1 min read

Rio Ave vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Tips 17 January 2026

As Benfica are eager to keep their title hopes alive, we predict that they will defeated Rio Ave 2-0 on Matchday 18. Os Rio Avistas head into this clash boosted by a 3-1 win over Casa Pia, and with no fresh injury issues, coach Sotiris Sylaidopoulos is expected to keep faith in the same XI. While their recent performances have shown flashes of improvement, the numbers still expose clear vulnerabilities. Rio Ave concede 1.9 goals per match overall and are yet to keep a single clean sheet this season. At home, they average just 1.0 goal scored, failing to score in 50% of home games. Their xGA of 1.66 at home also suggests they remain too exposed defensively.

Benfica, meanwhile, look far more complete. Despite a League Cup setback against Braga, their league form remains strong with 2.30 points per game and an impressive 80% win rate away from home. The Eagles combine efficiency in attack—2.4 goals scored per away match—with defensive solidity, keeping 60% clean sheets on the road and conceding just 0.6 goals per away fixture. The fact that key Benfica attacker Pavlidis has found his goal-scoring touch definitely supports our betting angle.

Historically, Benfica dominate this matchup with 27 wins in 33 meetings, highlighting the gulf in quality. As Jose Mourinho's troops are superior in every metric, Away Win is our main betting tip, alongside Benfica/Benfica and Benfica to Win to Nil.

This Portugal Primeira Liga match will be played on Saturday 17 January 2026 at 20:30.

What is our Rio Ave vs Benfica prediction?

Our prediction for this match: Rio Ave 0 - 2 Benfica

Rio Ave vs Benfica Betting Tips

Correct Score: 0-2
Both Teams To Score (BTTS): No
Over / Under 2.5 Goals: Under 2.5 Goals
Over / Under 1.5 Goals: Over 1.5 Goals
Anytime Goalscorer: Vangelis Pavlidis @ -125 Odds
Shots on Target (Home): Under 2.5
Shots on Target (Away): Over 4.5
Shots on Target (Total): Over 4.5
Total Corners: 9 - 11 @ 162 Odds

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Rio Ave Team Form and Stats

Form	Results	Points Per Game
Overall	wldlw	1.20
Home	ldlw	1.00
Away	wdwdl	1.33

Stats	Overall	Home	Away
Win %	30%	25%	33%
Average Goals Per Game	3.20	2.75	3.50
Scored	1.30	1.00	1.50
Conceded	1.90	1.75	2.00
BTTS	70%	50%	83%
Clean Sheets	0%	0%	0%
Failed to Score	30%	50%	17%
Expected Goals	1.08	0.93	1.19
Expected Goals Against	1.75	1.66	1.81

Benfica Team Form and Stats

Form	Results	Points Per Game
Overall	wwdwl	2.30
Home	dwwwl	2.00
Away	wwwwd	2.60

Stats	Overall	Home	Away
Win %	70%	60%	80%
Average Goals Per Game	2.80	2.60	3.00
Scored	2.00	1.60	2.40
Conceded	0.80	1.00	0.60
BTTS	50%	60%	40%
Clean Sheets	50%	40%	60%
Failed to Score	0%	0%	0%
Expected Goals	1.66	1.57	1.75
Expected Goals Against	0.93	0.91	0.96