Braga v Rio Ave: European push meets survival fight | OneFootball

Braga host Rio Ave in Liga Portugal on Sunday, 8 February 2026 at the Estádio Municipal de Braga, with the hosts chasing European places and the visitors looking to arrest a slide towards the relegation battle.

Braga are fifth and unbeaten in their last three league games, including a 5-0 win over Alverca and a 4-0 victory at AVS. Rio Ave are 14th and have lost three league matches on the spin, including 4-0 at Nacional and 3-0 at home to Arouca. The reverse fixture finished 2-2.

Carlos Vicens' side control games, averaging 65% possession and 87.60% passing accuracy, with 41 league goals and eight clean sheets this season. Rio Ave have had 46% of the ball on average, have conceded 38 and kept two clean sheets, so their defence will likely be tested for long spells.

Goalscoring threats are clear. Rodrigo Zalazar has nine league goals for Braga, with Ricardo Horta on eight and Pau Victor on six. For the visitors, Clayton has 10, while André Luiz has seven goals and five assists. With Braga's open play crossing accuracy at 19.83%, wide service could be a route. Rio Ave may try to spring Clayton and André Luiz when chances arise.

A home win would strengthen Braga's push towards the European places and could move them closer to the top four. Victory for Rio Ave would be a valuable boost in the survival fight and could open daylight to the relegation zone.