Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Rio Ave and Maritimo square off against each other in the opening match of Primeira Liga round 14. Rio Ave did well to beat both Boavista and Arouca before the World Cup break, and we are positive that they will rely on their rock-solid defence once again. Defender Pedro Amaral is back from suspension, whereas Hernani has overcome his injury. Midfielder Joca should be the only absentee in the home team.
Meanwhile, O Maior das Ilhas aim to recover from a 1-0 defeat to Vitoria Guimaraes. Maritimo have collected only six points in the 2022/2023 Primeira Liga campaign, and given their poor away record, we predict that Rio Ave are going to extend their winning run to three games on Friday evening. Both Moises Mosquera and Fabio China have overcome their respective injuries, while Geny Catamo faces a race against the clock to be fit for the match.
Highlighted Player (Patrick William):
Born in Sao Leopoldo, Brazil, on June 3, 1997, Patrick William is a defender who plays for Famalicao in Primeira Liga. William began his senior career at Tupi, and he play for the likes of Ceara and Vila Nova as well before signing a five-year contract with Famalicao in 2019.
The Brazilian footballer made his debut in the Portuguese elite division on August 8, 2019, in a 2-0 win over Santa Clara. He scored his first goal for the Azuis e Brancos in a 1-0 win over Rio Ave on August 16, 2019, finding the net in the 66th minute of the match.
Patrick William’s preferred foot is right, and his primary position is a centre-back. The player who wears the number 97 shirt at Famalicao, has a contract with the club until June 2024. The Famalicao defender has yet to make his debut with the Brazil national team.
Highlighted Team (Maritimo):
Based in Funchal, Madeira, Maritimo are a Portuguese club that compete in Primeira Liga. O Maior das Ilhas (The Greatest of the Islands) play their home matches in the national championship at Estadio do Maritimo.
The stadium was officially founded on May 5, 1957 and it can hold up to 10,932 spectators. Maritimo won their first and only Campeonato de Portugal in the 1925/1926 season, with the team beating Belenenses in the title game 2-0 at Campo do Ameal. Maritimo wear green shirts with red stripes and white shorts when playing on home soil, whilst the colour of their away kit is sky blue.
The Estadio do Maritimo have yet to win the Taca de Portugal trophy, but they made it to the final of the competition on two occasions (1994/95, 2000/01), as well as the final of the Taca da Liga in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Nacional are considered the club’s main rivals.