Rio Ave v Vitória S.C.: top-half tilt as in-form visitors test hosts' momentum | OneFootball

Rio Ave host Vitória S.C. in Liga Portugal on Saturday, 13 December 2025 at the Estádio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube, with 10th meeting 8th and both eyeing a pre-Christmas climb in the table.

The head-to-head leans the visitors' way across the wider record, with Vitória S.C. winning 47% of past meetings. They also beat Rio Ave 3-0 in April, though the sides drew 2-2 in Vila do Conde last December.

Rio Ave have stabilised with two wins and two draws in their last five league outings, including away victories at Estrela Amadora and AVS, tempered by a heavy home loss to Estoril. Vitória S.C. arrive in strong form after three straight wins before a goalless draw with Gil Vicente, a run that featured a 4-0 league win over AVS and a 3-1 cup success at Porto.

Clayton is a clear home threat, joint top of the Liga scoring chart with 10 goals, while André Luiz has added four goals and five assists. Vitória S.C. have kept four clean sheets this season and swing in plenty of deliveries from open play. With five headed league goals and strong aerial numbers, wide service to Nelson Oliveira could be a route to goal.

A home win would move Rio Ave to 19 points and could nudge them into the top half. Vitória S.C. would rise to 21 points with victory and could close in on the European places.