Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave FC Predictions

The Portuguese Primeira Division gets underway this Friday with reigning champions Sporting Lisbon playing host to Rio Ave in the opening fixture.

Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave FC Key Stats

• Sporting Lisbon are unbeaten in 14 of their last 16 games in all competitions
• In their last 6 games Sporting have scored 14 goals continuing on from their incredible 96 goals scored last league campaign
• Rio Ave FC have won just 1 of their last 8 games in all competitions
• Rio Ave FC only managed 6 wins in the league last season

Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave FC Previous Meetings

Overall, both teams have played 44 matches against one another with Sporting Lisbon of course taking the victory in the majority. They have won 27 of the meetings between the teams. Rio Ave only managing 7 wins.

Surprisingly the last game between the teams ended in a 3-3 draw however before that Sporting were on a run of 5 games unbeaten against Rio Ave. In that run all 5 games ended in clean sheets.

Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave FC Team News & Predicted Lineups

Neither side is expected to have anyone missing going into this game so expect the strongest lineups possible here.

Sporting Lisbon - Vladan Kovačević, Eduardo Quaresma, Zeno Debast, Gonçalo Inácio, Geovany Quenda, Morten Hjulmand, Hidemasa Morita, Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves, Viktor Gyökeres

Rio Ave FC - Jhonatan, Miguel Nóbrega, João Novais, Clayton Silva, Amine Oudrhiri, Tiago Morais, Marios Vrousai, Kiko Bondoso, Aderllan Santos, Renato Pantalon, Olhinho

Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave FC Player To Watch - Viktor Gyökreres

Gyökeres is by far the player to look out for in this game.

We would expect a lot of goals in this fixture and the Swedish international has proven that he is guaranteed goals. Last season he managed 43 goals in 50 appearances for Leões and he will look to have a repeat of that season this year.

Links suggest he could be on the move with Arsenal the main source of interest but nonetheless Gyökeres is the man to look out for in this game.

Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave FC Prediction

It is easy to say that Sporting are by far the stronger of the two teams. On good form and looking to defend their title in dominant fashion once again it is hard to see them losing this game.

Considering Rio Ave have proven to be a weaker side and often struggle against Sporting expect there to be a lot of goals for the host and not many, if any at all, for the away side.

This is why we are backing odds of 39/10 on Sporting Lisbon To Win To Nil and Over 3.5 Match Goals as our best value tip for this game. Considering £10 could return a potential £49 this one is a no brainer.

Where To Watch Sporting Lisbon vs Rio Ave FC

This game is set to kickoff live from the Estadio Jose Alvalade at 20:15 on Friday 8th August 2024. You can check out all of the action in the UK and Ireland with a subscription to TrillerTV+.