Famalicão vs Rio Ave Predictions

Famalicão will face Rio Ave at Estádio Municipal de Famalicão on March 11, 2025, in a Liga Portugal matchup with both teams chasing vital points late in the 2024/25 season. Famalicão, likely 9th with around 34 points from 24 matches, come off a 2-0 loss to Vitória SC (March 2, 2025), aiming to rebound at home. Rio Ave, expected 10th with about 32 points from 24 matches, arrive after a 1-1 draw with Farense (March 2, 2025), looking to build consistency. This preview covers team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to predict the winner.

Team Form & Recent Performances

Famalicão

• 2024/25 Record (Projected): 10W, 4D, 10L in Liga Portugal (34 points, 9th)

• Latest Result: 2-0 loss vs. Vitória SC (Liga Portugal, March 2, 2025)

• Home Form: 6W, 2D, 4L (17 goals scored, 12 conceded) Famalicão have lost two of their last three games, including a 2-0 defeat to Vitória SC. With 34 points from 24 matches, they’re mid-table. At home, they average 1.42 goals scored and 1.00 conceded per game, facing a Rio Ave side they’ve dominated historically at this venue.

Rio Ave

• 2024/25 Record (Projected): 9W, 5D, 10L in Liga Portugal (32 points, 10th)

• Latest Result: 1-1 draw vs. Farense (Liga Portugal, March 2, 2025)

• Away Form: 3W, 2D, 7L (13 goals scored, 19 conceded) Rio Ave have been steady, drawing 1-1 with Farense for their third game without a loss. With 32 points from 24 matches, they’re just below Famalicão. Away, they average 1.08 goals scored and 1.58 conceded per game, struggling against Famalicão on the road in recent years.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: Famalicão 5W, Rio Ave 2W, 6D (13 meetings since 2018)

• Recent Meeting:
  October 4, 2024: Rio Ave 1-1 Famalicão (Liga Portugal, Round 7)

• Key Trend: Famalicão are unbeaten in their last 12 H2Hs (5W, 7D); 60% of recent meetings saw under 2.5 goals. The October 2024 clash ended 1-1, continuing Famalicão’s strong run against Rio Ave. Matches average 1.8 goals recently, with Famalicão’s 2-1 home win in February 2024 reinforcing their dominance at Estádio Municipal, setting up a favorable outlook.

Key Players to Watch

Famalicão

• Sorriso (FWD): 6 goals, 3 assists in Liga Portugal; top scorer with speed.

• Gustavo Sá (MID): 4 goals, 4 assists; key playmaker.

• Luiz Júnior (GK): 7 clean sheets; vital in goal.

Rio Ave

• Clayton (FWD): 5 goals, 2 assists in Liga Portugal; leading striker.

• Zaydou Youssouf (MID): 3 goals, 3 assists; midfield creator.

• Jhonatan (GK): 6 clean sheets; anchors the defense.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Famalicão’s 4-2-3-1 (1.33 goals per game) relies on Sorriso’s finishing and Sá’s vision, targeting Rio Ave’s 1.58 goals conceded per game away, with home advantage as a boost. Rio Ave’s 4-3-3 (1.21 goals per game) leans on Clayton’s scoring and Youssouf’s energy, likely countering with 46% possession away. Estádio Municipal’s 5,186 fans will rally Famalicão, suggesting a tight, low-scoring game given their H2H trend.

Prediction: Famalicão vs Rio Ave

Our Prediction: Total Goal - Over 2

Result/both teams to score - Home/Yes