Open game expected at Estádio da Madeira: Nacional vs Rio Ave preview

There should be plenty of energy on the pitch in this game, as both sides have had time to recuperate from their last game. Let's hope both teams are ready to give it all.

Nacional form and stats

Hopes of three in a row are alive for Nacional after consecutive victories at their own ground.

Nacional lost their last game at Portimonense after a 1-5 scoreline. Ahead of that match, Nacional won a home game hosting Tondela (3-2).

This is expected to be a close game, with Nacional perhaps considered small favourites due to their home advantage. Looking back at earlier matches similar to this one (expected to be close with Nacional as a small favourite), we find nine games. Nacional has won 3 of these, drawn 3 and lost 3.

Nacional have scored 12 goals here in 25 matches, not a lot. Nacional have conceded 16 in these home matches.

Rio Ave form and stats

Rio Ave has only collected 12 points from their away games after 3-3-6 (12 played).

Rio Ave has to pack their bags again for the second away game in a row. Last time they traveled to Chaves for a Primeira Liga game that ended a draw (1-1). A loss against Sporting Braga was the result prior to that, in a home game.

As mentioned above, this is an open game with no clear favourite. We have found 23 similar matches played by Rio Ave in our archives, and the results are: 5 wins for Rio Ave, 4 draws and 14 defeats.

Rio Ave are scoring more than one goal per away game on average, having accumulated 15 away goals from 25 games. In the opposite end, Rio Ave have conceded 18 goals in their away games.

Head 2 Head

This is not the first time this season these parties meet, as the history books show this recent fixture: Rio Ave - Nacional 3-3. Head-to-head totals (for the last ten meetings): Nacional won 2 games, 5 matches ended with a draw and Rio Ave has 3 wins.

Top Goalscorers

Nacional missing players

Rio Ave missing players