Casa Pia vs Rio Ave Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Casa Pia vs Rio Ave on and what time does it start? Casa Pia vs Rio Ave will take place on Saturday 2nd September, 2023 – 15:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Casa Pia vs Rio Ave? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Casa Pia vs Rio Ave on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Casa Pia vs Rio Ave in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
CASA PIA
Casa Pia gained promotion to the Portuguese top-flight for the first time ever in 2022. They, under the management of Filipe Martins, then performed very well, with a reliance on goalkeeper Ricardo Batista, to finish in the middle-of-the-table and even flirt with the top six and UEFA Europa Conference League qualification for the majority of the campaign.
Now, as they seek to avoid the dreaded ‘second season syndrome’, Casa Pia have started the 2023/24 campaign by collecting four points from their opening three matches. On the opening day of the season, they defeated newly-promoted Farense by three goals to nil before then only just being edged out to defeat against Sporting CP. Last weekend, they shared a 1-1 draw with a Boavista side who had began the season with a 3-2 defeat of reigning champions Benfica and then 4-1 hammering of Portimonense.
RIO AVE
Like a few sides in Portugal’s top-flight at the moment, such as Casa Pia, Estoril and Chaves, Rio Ave gained promotion back into the Primeira Liga and then immediately established themselves back into the middle-of-the-table. Unlike Chaves, they have managed to keep hold of their impressive young manager, Luis Freire, for this season.
However, it has been a disappointing start to the 2023/24 campaign for Rio Ave. They started with an impressive and comfortable 2-0 defeat of the aforementioned Chaves but have since suffered back-to-back losses. Firstly they were beaten 2-0 by Estoril and that was followed up last weekend with a 2-1 defeat at home to Porto, in which they had led but conceded two goals in second-half stoppage-time.
THE TEAM NEWS
CASA PIA
Filipe Martins remains without some injured players but he is expected to name an unchanged eleven for this weekend as they seek to establish some rhythm.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Batista; Varela, Fernandes, Zolotic; Larrazabal, Roberto, Mukendi, Lelo; Soma, Clayton, Godwin
UNAVAILABLE: Silva (Injured), Brito (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
RIO AVE
Luis Freire may be tempted to make changes to his side after last week’s defeat but they should expect to remain unchanged with a fairly small squad.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Magrao; Pantalon, Santos, Sa; Costinha, Oudrhir, Guga, Ronaldo; Joca, Graca; Boateng
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Portuguese football is often low-scoring and there was only just over two goals per game on average throughout last season with that expected to be quite a similar way in which this game goes. Casa Pia and Rio Ave both over achieved last season by finishing in the middle-of-the-table but Casa Pia in particular were reliant on defensive solidity with their goalkeeper, Ricardo Batista, one of the best in the league. Given their natural way of playing and Rio Ave’s slight struggle for form, under 2.5 goals seems inevitable for this one.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
