On the Primeira Liga‘s final matchday, an inconsistent Rio Ave are set to host Gil Vicente at Estadio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube on Saturday.
Os Rioavistas will be hoping to end the season by making it three games unbeaten, while Os Gilistas will be looking to bounce back after dropping five points in their last two.
Match preview
With just two wins from their last 11 games, a stretch that also features seven losses and two draws, Petit‘s Rio Ave are comfortably clear of the relegation zone but 17 behind the European places as the campaign draws to a close.
On Saturday, Os Rioavistas played out a dramatic 3-3 draw against Nacional, and the boss will be extremely disappointed that his team surrendered the three-goal advantage that Ege Tiknaz and Theofanis Bakoulas had given them.
That stalemate kept Petit’s side 10th in the table, level on 37 points with 11th-placed Moreirense, but after dropping two points, they can no longer make the top half.
Regardless, bringing their tally up to 10 wins for the season in front of a home crowd would be a strong way for the hosts to finish 2024-25, though considering that they have only taken maximum points once in their last five at Estadio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube, fans would be forgiven for being doubtful.
Victory this weekend would take Rio Ave to 40 points and see them end the campaign 10th, but defeat may allow Nacional, Arouca and Moreirense to drop them down to 13th.
Meanwhile, Cesar Peixoto‘s Gil Vicente are safe from the drop having earned seven points across their last four games, and they will be keen to cap off their season with another win.
Last weekend, Os Gilistas drew 1-1 with Arouca at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, and though his team conceded first, and it would have pleased the manager to see Santi Garcia level the score within two minutes of Miguel Puche‘s opener.
Picking up another point has left Peixoto’s side 14th with a tally of 33, and they are now six ahead of 16th-placed AVS and 17th-placed Farense, both of whom are battling for the relegation playoff spot with one game to play.
As they aim to close out the campaign in style, the visitors will need to prove that their 2-1 loss on the road to Sporting Lisbon in their most recent away game was a one off, but considering that they had won the previous two – while scoring three goals in each – they will be confident of securing a positive result.
If Gil Vicente can make it three wins from five on Saturday, then they could climb up to 12th in the table ahead of both Nacional and Arouca, and their four-superior goal difference will give them the advantage should they end 2024-25 level on points with Os Arouquenses.
Team News
Rio Ave will welcome right full-back Marios Vrousai back into the squad this weekend after he served a suspension for accumulating yellow cards, though Joao Tome is likely to continue in the backline.
In the centre of the park, midfielder Brandon Aguilera could return to action after missing the last three games through injury, and if he is ready, he should partner Ege Tiknaz.
Elsewhere, left-back Joao Pedro was withdrawn with an injury against Nacional, and Karse may take his place this weekend.
As for Gil Vicente, manager Peixoto has a largely fit group to choose from, though attacking midfielder Kanya Fujimoto remains a doubt.
If he is unavailable, then Mohamed Bamba and Facundo Caseres will start in front of the centre-backs, with Santi Garcia operating just behind striker Pablo Felipe.
Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Miszta; Tome, Kostoulas, Panzo, Karse; Tiknaz, Aguilera; Andre Luiz, Neto, Bondoso; Clayton
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Carlos, Elimbi, Buatu, Mutombo; Bamba, Caseres; Correia, Garcia, Marques; Felipe
We say: Rio Ave 1-1 Gil Vicente
Both Rio Ave and Gil Vicente have been in mixed form over recent weeks, and neither side is likely to dominate this game.
Additionally, the hosts won their most recent match in front of their own crowd, while the visitors have lost just one of their last four on the road, so expect a close contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
