Rio Ave vs Moreirense Prediction - Portuguese Primeira Liga

The match between Rio Ave and Moreirense in the Portuguese Primeira Liga will take place at 03:15 on February 17, 2026, at the Estádio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube stadium. This is a crucial match for Rio Ave as the team strives to escape the relegation zone at the bottom of the league table.

Relative positions on the leaderboard

Currently, Moreirense is maintaining a stable position in the upper half of the table, sitting in 9th place with 30 points. Meanwhile, Rio Ave is in a precarious situation, ranking 15th with 20 points, only a narrow distance from the relegation zone. The home team's goal difference is a major question mark, as they have conceded 41 goals in 21 matches.

Performance analysis and professional statistics

Rio Ave: The defensive dilemma

Rio Ave, the home team, is having a turbulent season. After 21 matches played, they have only managed 4 wins, 8 draws, and 9 losses. Notably, Rio Ave's defense is one of the weakest in the league, conceding an average of 2.0 goals per game. They have also failed to capitalize on their home advantage, having lost 5 matches since the start of the season.

Moreirense: The stability of the away team.

On the other side of the pitch, Moreirense has shown a more positive performance with 9 wins in 21 rounds. Although their form in the last 5 matches has been inconsistent with 2 wins and 3 losses, overall the away team still possesses a more cohesive playing style. Moreirense's scoring efficiency averages 1.3 goals per game, enough to put pressure on Rio Ave's weak defense.

History of confrontations and forces

The head-to-head history between the two teams in the last 5 matches is quite balanced. Specifically, each team has 2 wins and there has been 1 draw. In their most recent encounter in September 2025, Moreirense secured a convincing 3-1 victory. However, Rio Ave also defeated their opponent 2-0 away from home in April 2025.

Regarding personnel, neither team has reported any serious injuries or suspensions, allowing coaches to have their best players available for this match.

Predicting the course of the match

Based on statistical indicators, Moreirense holds the psychological and form advantage. The likelihood of the away team winning or at least drawing is considered very high, at 90% (45% win and 45% draw). Conversely, the chance for Rio Ave to secure all three points at home is only 10%.

The match is likely to be a back-and-forth affair in the midfield. Rio Ave will be forced to play cautiously to limit the number of goals conceded, while Moreirense will wait for mistakes from the opposing defense to decide the game.

Team lineup updated at 02:45 on 17/02/2026

Official lineup

Rio Ave

Diagram: 3-4-2-1

CoachSotiris Sylaidopoulos

Starting lineup:

• 99. Ennio Van Der Gouw (G)
• 32. Jakub Brabec (D)
• 39. Gustavo Mancha (D)
• 5. Andreas Ndoj (D)
• 17. Marios Vrousai (M)
• 44. Tamás Nikitscher (M)
• 18. Dario Špikić (M)
• 77. Omar Richards (M)
• 7. Diogo Bezerra (F)
• 11. Jalen Blesa (F)
• 9. Tamblé Monteiro (F)

Substitutes:

• 22. Kevin Chamorro
• 6. Nelson Abbey
• 23. Francisco Petrasso
• 20. João Tomé
• 19. Antonis Papakanellos
• 21. João Graça
• 80. Ole Pohlmann
• 8. Ryan Guilherme
• 54. Georgios Liavas

Moreirense

Diagram: 4-2-3-1

CoachVasco Costa

Starting lineup:

• 13. André Ferreira (G)
• 76. Dinis Pinto (D)
• 66. Gilberto Batista (D)
• 26. Maracás (D)
• 27. Kiko (D)
• 21. Rodrigo Alonso (M)
• 8. Mateja Stjepanović (M)
• 2. Diogo Travassos (M)
• 11. Alan (M)
• 10. Kiko Bondoso (M)
• 99. Yan Maranhão (F)

Substitutes:

• 16. Mika
• 4. Kevyn Monteiro
• 71. Leandro Santos
• 78. Landerson
• 7. Cedric Teguia
• 23. Nile John
• 25. Afonso Assis
• 30. Jimi Gower
• 9. Luís Semedo