Rio Ave vs Nacional da Madeira Prediction: Vilacondenses Are Out To Make Their Home Crowd Proud

Rio Ave vs Nacional da Madeira: Prediction for the Match on August 17, 2025

Rio Ave will welcome Nacional da Madeira to the Estádio dos Arcos in the second round of the Primeira Liga. The previous meeting between these two sides in the league saw them cancel each other in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Who's going to come out on top? Let us check out the match preview, team news, and betting odds to place your bets!

Rio Ave: Form and Statistics

Four years ago, Rio Ave was relegated from the Primeira Liga, bringing an end to an 18-year stay in the top flight. However, their stay in the second division was short-lived, as they secured immediate promotion back to Portugal's top flight in 2023.

Since then, they have spent three seasons in the Primeira Liga. For the second consecutive season, they secured an 11th place in the previous campaign, concluding with 38 points to their name. In the current campaign, though, they have renewed ambitions, and that's to finish in the top half.

As preparation for the 2025-26 season, the Vilacondenses had to play six preseason games. A strong start saw them win three of their last four matches (D1). The problem came in closing the chapter, suffering two consecutive defeats against Gil Vicente (3-1) and Al Nassr (4-0).

Rio Ave: Team News

Rio Ave heads into this match with no injury concerns, meaning they will field a strong starting lineup. 

The home team has bolstered their squad with ten new signings, including Andreas Ntoi (Olympiacos), Nelson Abbey (Olympiacos), Antzelo Sina (Olympiacos), Clayton (Vasco da Gama), Antonis Papakanellos (Olympiacos), Nikos Athanasiou (Olympiacos), Marc Gual (Legia Warszaw), Kevin Chamorro (Deportivo Saprissa), Georgios Liavas (Panetolikos), and Jonathan Panzo (Nottingham Forest).

Vitor Gomes, who made 199 appearances for Rio Ave, has retired from football duties. Matheus Teixeira was released, and Miguel Nobrega left on a free transfer. 

🔖 Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Miszta; Tome, Ntoi, Panzo, Vrousai; Aguilera Zamora, Bakoulas; Andre Luiz, Pohlmann, Novais; Clayton.

⛔️ Out: None.

👤 Head coach: Sotiris Silaidopoulos.

Nacional da Madeira: Form and Statistics

After spending three years in the second division, Nacional da Madeira was able to secure promotion to the Primeira Liga in the 2024-25 season. In that debut campaign, they settled for a 14th place finish. Certainly not the best of finishes, but relegation was avoided.

One of seven teams in the current Primeira Liga campaign that have dropped all three points, the Alvinegros will hope to register their first league win. In the league opener, they found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at home against Gil Vicente. 

Facing Rio Ave is no small feat after falling short in the previous season. A 2-1 away defeat was followed by a 3-3 home draw, meaning they head into this clash winless in their last two encounters against this opponent. 

Nacional da Madeira: Team News

Nacional da Madeira has one injury concern, and that's long-term Miguel Baeza, who's still nursing a muscle injury. Four players remain inactive, including Deivison, Mootaz Nourani, Lucas Joao, and Ivanildo Fernandes. 

Despite suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Gil Vicente, head coach Tiago Margarido is likely to stick to the same starting lineup and 4-3-3 setup.

🔖 Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Lucas Franca; Jose Gomes, Leo Santos, Ulisses, Aurelio; Soares, Matheus Dias, Liziero; Witi, Ramirez Diaz, Paulinho Boia.

⛔️ Out: Miguel Baeza (muscle injury), Deivison (inactive), Mootaz Nourani (inactive), Lucas Joao (inactive), Ivanildo Fernandes (inactive).

👤 Head coach: Tiago Margarido.

Rio Ave vs Nacional da Madeira: Head-To-Head Statistics

In the last 33 meetings, Rio Ave have won 11 times, Nacional da Madeira have won 9 times, and there have been 13 draws. The goal difference is 37-34 in favor of Nacional da Madeira. 

Rio Ave vs Nacional da Madeira: Betting Tips & Odds

• Rio Ave scored the first goal in each of their last three league games. You can bet on Rio Ave to score first for 1.84 at Betway.
• Three of Nacional da Madeira's last four Primeira Liga games have ended with over 2.5 goals. You can bet on over 2.5 goals for 2.03 at 1xbet.
• Rio Ave's Clayton scored two goals in a 2-1 home league win against Nacional da Madeira last season. You can bet on Clayton to get on the scoresheet for 2.50 at Bet365.

Rio Ave vs Nacional da Madeira match prediction 17 August 2025

Rio Ave holds a slight edge over Nacional da Madeira in head-to-head meetings. Their home record in this fixture has been promising, going eight games without defeat. I'm confident they will be able to avoid defeat here and secure a favorable outcome.

Nacional da Madeira appeared threatening in the final third against Gil Vicente but lacked the finishing touch to score a goal. In this fixture, they have thrived in this department, scoring seven goals in their last four outings. The 'both teams to score - yes' pick has been a winning bet in each of those last three meetings. That said, we expect an entertaining affair filled with plenty of goals.

Our match prediction: Both Teams To Score - Yes for a coefficient of 1.80 in the Bet365 bookmaker.

Our betting tip on the match: W1 for a coefficient of 2.35 in the 1xbet bookmaker.

Our final betting tip on the match: Corners - Over 9.5 for a coefficient of 1.66 in the Betway bookmaker.