Estoril v Rio Ave: top-half push meets safety bid | OneFootball

Estoril host Rio Ave in Liga Portugal on Sunday at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, with the seventh-placed hosts seeking to cement their top half standing and the visitors aiming to add breathing space above the relegation fight.

These sides last met in November when Estoril won 4-0 away. The broader head to head has been competitive in recent seasons, but that emphatic result gives the hosts a clear reference point.

Form points to a tight contest. Estoril have taken seven points from their last three home and away games combined, including a 1-0 win at Nacional after a goalless draw with Casa Pia. Rio Ave arrive on an uptick after back to back wins over Tondela and Estrela Amadora, following a run of one point from three.

Attacking profiles diverge. Estoril have scored 47 league goals with 52% possession and 47.26% shooting accuracy this season, and they lean on Yanis Begraoui, who sits third in the league scoring chart with 17, plus creator Joao Carvalho, joint top for assists with 10 (per the season rankings). Rio Ave have 26 goals and 45 conceded. Clayton leads their line with 10 goals and 14 goal contributions overall, while André Luiz adds seven goals and five assists.

A home win would lift Estoril to 40 points and could nudge them closer to the top six. Victory for Rio Ave would take them to 30 points and may move them further from the relegation play off place, with a climb toward mid table in sight.