Estoril Vs Rio Ave

Two teams currently riding unbeaten streaks will face off in an eagerly anticipated clash this Saturday as Estoril Praia hosts Rio Ave in round 23 of the Primeira Liga. Both sides will be looking to maintain their momentum as the season progresses, with Estoril aiming to solidify their position in the top half of the table and Rio Ave seeking to distance themselves further from the lower end of the standings.

Heading into this encounter, Estoril Praia finds itself in eighth place in the league table with 31 points. Their recent form has been nothing short of remarkable, as they have now gone seven consecutive matches without suffering a defeat. This extended run of positive results has significantly bolstered their campaign, with the team showcasing a newfound resilience and attacking prowess. On the other hand, Rio Ave enters this match with a comparatively shorter unbeaten run, having avoided defeat in their last five games across all competitions. Nevertheless, their consistency in grinding out results has kept them competitive in the league, though they still have work to do in order to secure a stronger foothold in the standings.

Estoril Praia’s impressive run of form in 2024 has been a testament to their growth as a team. Their last loss occurred in late December when they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Benfica. Since then, they have bounced back admirably, putting together a string of outstanding performances that have seen them pick up crucial points. Their resurgence has been marked by five consecutive victories, punctuated by two draws, with their latest outing ending in a dramatic 2-2 stalemate against Nacional.

That particular match encapsulated the fighting spirit that has come to define Estoril’s season. What initially seemed like a routine march to their sixth straight victory soon turned into a fierce battle to preserve their unbeaten streak. Andra Lacximicant set the tone early by netting an opener, only for Nacional to overturn the deficit and seize a one-goal lead. However, Estoril demonstrated their perseverance as Felix Bacher came to the rescue with a dramatic equalizer in the 93rd minute, ensuring they walked away with a valuable point. Such displays of determination have solidified their reputation as a team that refuses to go down without a fight.

A crucial element behind Estoril’s success has been their attacking efficiency. Over their last seven matches, they have found the back of the net 16 times, averaging over two goals per game. Notably, they have managed to score at least twice in six of those seven fixtures. This stands in stark contrast to their struggles earlier in the season, where they endured a rough patch of six games in which they failed to score in four outings and managed to collect a meager five points. The turnaround in their attacking fortunes has been a significant factor in their recent surge up the standings.

Looking ahead to their encounter with Rio Ave, Estoril will be eager to return to winning ways following their draw against Nacional. Their recent meetings with Rio Ave have often been closely contested affairs, with the last two encounters ending in draws, including a 2-2 stalemate in September’s reverse fixture. However, they can take confidence from their last home game against Rio Ave, which resulted in a 2-0 victory. Given their current form, they will be hoping for a repeat of that performance to extend their unbeaten streak and climb further up the table.

Rio Ave, meanwhile, has also been enjoying a solid spell, boasting just one defeat in their last nine matches across all competitions. Their recent run of five unbeaten games—four of which have been in the league—has provided them with a much-needed boost. However, despite their ability to avoid losses, they have struggled to convert draws into wins, a pattern that has hindered their ability to climb higher in the standings.

This trend was evident in their most recent outing, where they played out a 1-1 draw against AVS at Estadio dos Arcos. That match saw them fall behind before Demir Ege Tiknaz came to their rescue with a 62nd-minute equalizer, salvaging a point against a team battling relegation. While avoiding defeat is commendable, Rio Ave will be aware that turning one point into three will be crucial in the coming weeks if they wish to improve their league standing.

The draw against AVS extended their winless streak in the Primeira Liga to three matches, leaving them in 11th place with 26 points. While they are still seven points clear of the relegation playoff spot, they cannot afford to become complacent. A victory against Estoril would go a long way in boosting their confidence and reinforcing their position in the table. However, history is not entirely on their side, as they have not managed to secure an away victory over Estoril since November 2017, when they claimed a 2-0 triumph. Their two visits since then have ended in a draw and a loss, further underlining the challenge they face this weekend.

Another factor that could work against Rio Ave is their poor away record this season. In 11 league matches on the road, they have registered just two wins, collecting a total of eight points. This makes them one of the weaker traveling sides in the division, ranking as the sixth-worst team in terms of away performances. If they are to break their winless run at Estoril, they will need to significantly improve their ability to pick up results away from home.

Despite their struggles in converting draws into victories, Rio Ave does possess the quality to pose a serious challenge to Estoril. Their defensive organization and ability to grind out results have been evident in recent weeks, and they will likely approach this match with a disciplined game plan. The key for them will be capitalizing on their scoring opportunities while maintaining their defensive solidity against an in-form Estoril attack.

Ultimately, Saturday’s match promises to be an engaging contest between two teams eager to extend their unbeaten streaks. Estoril will be looking to continue their impressive attacking displays and secure another victory in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, Rio Ave will be determined to break their run of consecutive draws and claim a crucial three points on the road. With both teams having plenty to play for, this encounter has all the ingredients for an exciting and closely contested battle in the Primeira Liga.