Sporting CP vs Rio Ave Prediction: The Lions Have Licked Their Wounds, Time To Defend Their League Title!

Sporting CP will welcome Rio Ave to the Estádio José Alvalade in the first round of the Primeira Liga. 

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Sporting CP vs. Rio Ave, probable lineups, match facts, and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Sporting CP

If there is a side that dominated the Primeira Liga in the previous season, it has to be none other than Sporting CP. The Lions finished 10 points clear at the top of the standings and only suffered two defeats in 34 matches. 

Their success was entirely due to their offensive strength, which saw them score 96 goals, the league's highest. Viktor Gyökeres was the man who contributed to such an impressive tally, with the Swedish international scoring 29 goals to become the team's and league's top goal scorer. 

In preparation for the current season, Ruben Amorim’s team played their first competitive match against rival FC Porto in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira Final. What was expected to be a walk-through turned out to be a closely contested battle in which they lost 4-3, depriving them of the opportunity to add to their collection their first silverware of the season.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-3

Kovacevic; Diomande, Inacio, Debast; Quenda, Hjulmand, Morita, Catamo; Goncalves, Gyokeres, Trincao

Rio Ave

Since finishing in 5th place in the 2019–20 season, Rio Ave has consistently ended up at the bottom of the table in subsequent seasons. The previous season was no exception, as they finished in 11th place with 37 points, five points ahead of the relegation play-offs. Although it has to be said that this was a slight improvement from their 12th-place finish in the 2022–23 season,. 

Luis Freire's team was poor on the road in the previous season and was ranked the third-worst team in the league. They accumulated 11 points in 17 matches. In fact, they failed to record a single win during this run, recording 11 draws and six losses.

In preparation for the current season, Rio Ave failed to impress in the preseason fixtures. They won just two of their last seven matches while recording four losses and one draw in the process. They come into this match on the back of a 3-0 defeat against England's Swansea at the Swansea.com Stadium. 

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-3

Jhonatan; Nobrega, Santos, Pantalon; Bondoso, Novais, Oudrhiri, Vrousa; Rehmi, Silva, Ronaldo

Match Facts

• Sporting CP are currently on a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
• Rio Ave have lost three of their last four matches across all competitions.
• Sporting CP averages 2.3 goals per game when playing at home, and Rio Ave averages 1.2 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 43 meetings, Sporting CP has won 26 times, Rio Ave has won 7 times, and there have been 10 draws, with the goal difference being 76-39 in favor of Sporting CP. 

Expert Betting Tips

Approaching this match, Sporting CP aims to bounce back from their defeat against FC Porto in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira last week. They have been the superior side in the head-to-head meetings and are favorites to secure their first win of the season in front of their fans.

Rio Ave didn't have a decent run in the preseason fixtures, depicting nothing but poor form, and that form is expected to catch up with them in this fixture where defeat is inevitable.

Sporting CP is currently on a two-match winning streak against Rio Ave at home while keeping clean sheets in those matches; as such, support them to win to nil.

• Sporting CP Win To Nil - Yes for 1.84
• Correct Score - 3:0 for 6.5
• Team Total Goals (Sporting CP) - Over 2.5 for 1.72