Match Preview
Matchday 12 of the Primeira Liga features a compelling encounter between Rio Ave FC and CD Santa Clara. Hosted by Rio Ave, this fixture pits two sides close in the league standings against each other, both eager to climb higher and solidify their position away from the relegation zone. Rio Ave, known for their defensive solidity but also a propensity for draws, will be looking to convert their home advantage into a crucial three points. Santa Clara, meanwhile, travels with a reputation for tight games, often struggling to find the back of the net but proving resilient at the back. This match promises to be a tactical battle, with both teams likely prioritizing not conceding over an all-out attacking approach.
Current League Standings
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC Porto | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 31 |
| 2 | Sporting Clube de Portugal | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 28 |
| 3 | Sport Lisboa e Benfica | 11 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 25 |
| 4 | Gil Vicente FC | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 23 |
| 5 | FC Famalicão | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 19 |
| 6 | Moreirense FC | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 18 |
| 7 | Sporting Clube de Braga | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 16 |
| 8 | Vitória SC | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | -7 | 14 |
| 9 | GD Estoril Praia | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 13 |
| 10 | CD Nacional | 11 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -4 | 12 |
| 11 | Rio Ave FC | 11 | 2 | 6 | 3 | -5 | 12 |
| 12 | CF Estrela da Amadora | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 | -1 | 11 |
| 13 | CD Santa Clara | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 11 |
| 14 | FC Alverca | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | -7 | 11 |
| 15 | Casa Pia AC | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -11 | 9 |
| 16 | FC Arouca | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -17 | 9 |
| 17 | CD Tondela | 11 | 1 | 3 | 7 | -14 | 6 |
| 18 | AVS | 11 | 0 | 3 | 8 | -17 | 3 |
- Rio Ave FC: Position 11th, 11 Played, 2 Wins, 6 Draws, 3 Losses, 12 Points, 14 Goals For, 19 Goals Against, -5 Goal Difference.
- CD Santa Clara: Position 13th, 11 Played, 3 Wins, 2 Draws, 6 Losses, 11 Points, 9 Goals For, 13 Goals Against, -4 Goal Difference.
Rio Ave sits just above Santa Clara in the league table, primarily due to their higher number of draws. Santa Clara has recorded slightly more wins but also more losses. Both teams hover in the bottom half, making this a critical six-pointer in their respective campaigns.
Head-to-Head Analysis
Recent Encounters
| Date | Competition | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Apr 2025 | Primeira Liga | Rio Ave FC | 1 - 1 | CD Santa Clara |
| 07 Dec 2024 | Primeira Liga | CD Santa Clara | 1 - 0 | Rio Ave FC |
| 17 Mar 2023 | Primeira Liga | CD Santa Clara | 0 - 2 | Rio Ave FC |
| 02 Oct 2022 | Primeira Liga | Rio Ave FC | 1 - 0 | CD Santa Clara |
| 11 May 2021 | Primeira Liga | CD Santa Clara | 1 - 0 | Rio Ave FC |
Historically, matches between Rio Ave and Santa Clara have been closely contested affairs. Over their last eight Primeira Liga encounters, the record stands perfectly even: three wins for Rio Ave, three wins for Santa Clara, and two draws. This balanced history suggests neither side holds a psychological edge coming into this game.
A key trend in their head-to-head record is the low goal count. Six of their last eight matches have finished with Under 2.5 goals, indicating that these contests are typically tight, defensive battles rather than high-scoring thrillers. The average goals per game across these fixtures is a mere 2.0, further reinforcing this pattern.
Our Prediction
Analyzing the current league form and historical head-to-head data, a clear trend emerges for this fixture. Rio Ave’s tendency for draws this season (6 in 11 games) and Santa Clara’s low goal output (9 goals in 11 games, averaging just 0.82 goals per game) strongly align with their head-to-head history of low-scoring encounters.
Given that both teams are positioned in the lower mid-table and will likely approach this game cautiously to avoid defeat, we anticipate another tight affair with limited goals. Santa Clara’s relatively strong defense for their league position (13 goals conceded) also plays a significant role in this assessment.
Therefore, our expert betting tip for this Primeira Liga clash is on the total goals market.
Our Prediction:
Under 2.5 Goals
