Rio Ave v Benfica prediction
Team pages: Rio Ave · Benfica · Head-to-head
TACTIX’s free model pick for Rio Ave v Benfica, Primeira Liga on Sun, 20 Dec 2026 16:00 GMT posts shortly before kick-off. Form, head-to-head and league standing for both sides are below.
The match
Rio Ave host Benfica in the Primeira Liga on Sunday 20 December (kick-off 16:00 UK).
The key numbers
Benfica have scored 24 goals, the most of the 18 clubs (2026/27 so far).
Benfica have scored in at least 15 consecutive matches in all competitions. Benfica are unbeaten in the last six meetings with Rio Ave, every meeting checked.
Form and the table
Six of Rio Ave’s last 15 results in all competitions went over 2.5 goals (40%). Both teams scored in five of Rio Ave’s last 15 results in all competitions (33%). At home, Rio Ave have one win, three draws and three defeats in their last 7 home matches in all competitions — 0.86 points per game, scoring 1.29 and conceding 2.43. Rio Ave have scored eight goals, the seventh-fewest (shared) of the 18 clubs (2026/27 so far). Rio Ave have conceded 17 goals, the third-most (shared) of the 18 clubs.
12 of Benfica’s last 15 results in all competitions went over 2.5 goals (80%). Both teams scored in nine of Benfica’s last 15 results in all competitions (60%). Away from home, Benfica have five wins, one draw and one defeat in their last 7 away matches in all competitions — 2.29 points per game, scoring 3.00 and conceding 0.71. Benfica have conceded seven goals, the fourth-fewest (shared) of the 18 clubs (2026/27 so far).
Rio Ave (14th) and Benfica (second) are 12 points apart, 2026/27 so far. TACTIX’s Glicko-2 team ratings have Benfica the stronger side, 474 rating points above Rio Ave (Benfica 1940, Rio Ave 1466, after at least 282 rated matches each).
Head-to-head
The most recent meeting, on 17 January 2026, finished Rio Ave 0–2 Benfica.
Team news
Predicted Rio Ave XI (4-2-3-1): E. van der Gouw, F. Petrasso, G. Mancha, G. Liavas, N. Abbey, T. Nikitscher, D. Bezerra, A. Ntoi, D. Nascimento, M. Patricío, T. Monteiro — derived from the last 8 line-ups, most-used eleven. By TACTIX Impact, Jalen Blesa (5.1 per match over eight appearances, three goals and one assist) and Diogo Bezerra (3.6 per match over eight appearances, one goal and three assists) have been Rio Ave’s most influential players 2026/27, all competitions. In numbers for Rio Ave (2026/27, all competitions, before kick-off), Jalen Blesa averages 1.0 shots per 90 over 696 minutes, with a shot in six of the last eight appearances. Diogo Bezerra averages 1.3 key passes per 90 over 630 minutes, with a key pass in four of the last eight appearances.
Predicted Benfica XI (4-2-3-1): S. Soares, S. Dahl, T. Araújo, C. Lenglet, A. Bah, G. Prestianni, Rafa, L. Barreiro, J. Palhinha, H. Sudakov, V. Pavlidis — derived from the last 8 line-ups, most-used eleven. By TACTIX Impact, G. Prestianni (8.3 per match over 10 appearances, five goals and five assists) and Vangelis Pavlidis (6.9 per match over 10 appearances, nine goals and three assists) have been Benfica’s most influential players 2026/27, all competitions. In numbers for Benfica (2026/27, all competitions, before kick-off), G. Prestianni averages 3.4 key passes per 90 over 873 minutes, with a key pass in eight of the last 10 appearances. Vangelis Pavlidis averages 2.8 shots per 90 over 1118 minutes, with a shot in seven of the last 10 appearances.
Written from the matches TACTIX holds for both sides; each figure names the games it is counted over.
The numbers
- Kick-off: · Primeira Liga
- Head-to-head (last 6): Rio Ave 0 · draws 2 · Benfica 4 · 3.5 goals/game
- Recent form: Rio Ave 2W 1D 2L · Benfica 4W 0D 1L
Rio Ave v Benfica (Primeira Liga): the key numbers are on this page — and TACTIX’s live, market-by-market track record is one click away (as of 16 October 2026). See the live track record →
Key stats
Per game, last 8 completed matches, to 17 October 2026. Over/under figures use standard thresholds, not bookmaker lines.
| Per game | Rio Ave for / against | Line | Benfica for / against |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goals scored | 1.13 for · 2 against n 8 Last 5 | 2.5standard | 2.63 for · 0.75 against n 8 Last 5 |
| Corners won | 4 for · 6.29 against n 7 Last 5 | 9.5standard | 7.25 for · 3.88 against n 8 Last 5 |
| Shots | 7.86 for · 16.71 against n 7 Last 5 | 19.5standard | 18.25 for · 10.13 against n 8 Last 5 |
| Shots on target | 3.29 for · 6 against n 7 Last 5 | 8.5standard | 5.88 for · 3 against n 8 Last 5 |
| Fouls committed | 8.86 for · 12.57 against n 7 Last 5 | 21.5standard | 11.38 for · 16.25 against n 8 Last 5 |
| Cards shown | 1.43 for · 1.14 against n 7 Last 5 | 3.5standard | 2.88 for · 2.38 against n 8 Last 5 |
Rio Ave
| Player | Mins | Fouls committed 1+2+ | Fouls won 1+2+ | Likely duel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T. Nikitscher n 8 | 77.5 | 1.9 | 1.9 | — |
| A. Ntoi n 8 | 66.4 | 1.7 | 0.7 | — |
| D. Špikić n 8 | 46.8 | 1.7 | 1 | — |
| Roland Galčík n 8 | 40.6 | 1.7 | 0.8 | — |
| S. Garcia n 5 | 58.8 | 1.5 | 0.3 | — |
| Player | Mins | Shots 1+2+ | Shots on target 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| M. Sellouki n 8 | 53.3 | 2.1 | 0.8 |
| S. Clemmensen n 8 | 62.6 | 1.4 | 0.5 |
| Tamble Monteiro n 8 | 55.4 | 1.4 | 0.6 |
| Roland Galčík n 8 | 40.6 | 1.4 | 0.6 |
| Miguel Patricío n 5 | 41.8 | 1.3 | 0.9 |
| Player | Mins | Goals 1+2+ | Assists 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| J. Blesa n 8 | 87 | 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Diogo Bezerra n 8 | 78.8 | 0.1 | 0.4 |
| S. Clemmensen n 8 | 62.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Roland Galčík n 8 | 40.6 | 0.3 | 0 |
| Diogo Nascimento n 8 | 57.5 | 0 | 0.2 |
| Player | Mins | Tackles 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|
| M. Vrousai n 8 | 39.9 | 4.8 |
| N. Abbey n 8 | 73.5 | 3.1 |
| T. Nikitscher n 8 | 77.5 | 3 |
| G. Liavas n 8 | 68.9 | 2 |
| Pedro Amaral n 8 | 62.3 | 1.8 |
| Player | Mins | Saves 2+3+ |
|---|---|---|
| E. van der Gouw n 8 | 91.1 | 3.5 |
Benfica
| Player | Mins | Fouls committed 1+2+ | Fouls won 1+2+ | Likely duel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. Barreiro n 8 | 61.4 | 2.6 | 3.3 | — |
| J. Duran n 8 | 29.6 | 1.9 | 2.3 | — |
| C. Echeverri n 8 | 29.1 | 1.9 | 2.7 | — |
| V. Pavlidis n 8 | 60.5 | 1.7 | 1.9 | — |
| João Palhinha n 8 | 69.8 | 1.6 | 1.9 | — |
| Player | Mins | Shots 1+2+ | Shots on target 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| G. Prestianni n 8 | 66.4 | 3.4 | 1.4 |
| D. Lukebakio n 8 | 47.6 | 3.1 | 2.1 |
| J. Duran n 8 | 29.6 | 2.7 | 1.1 |
| C. Echeverri n 8 | 29.1 | 2.7 | 2.3 |
| A. Schjelderup n 8 | 48.5 | 2.3 | 0.7 |
| Player | Mins | Goals 1+2+ | Assists 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| G. Prestianni n 8 | 66.4 | 0.5 | 0.8 |
| J. Duran n 8 | 29.6 | 1.1 | 0 |
| D. Lukebakio n 8 | 47.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 |
| C. Echeverri n 8 | 29.1 | 0 | 0.8 |
| S. El Karouani n 8 | 65.8 | 0.2 | 0.5 |
| Player | Mins | Tackles 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Banjaqui n 3 | 87 | 3.8 |
| A. Schjelderup n 8 | 48.5 | 3.5 |
| E. Barrenechea n 8 | 38.3 | 2.6 |
| João Palhinha n 8 | 69.8 | 2.1 |
| G. Prestianni n 8 | 66.4 | 2 |
| Player | Mins | Saves 2+3+ |
|---|---|---|
| A. Trubin n 8 | 86.5 | 3.6 |
| Samuel Soares n 8 | 90.9 | 1.2 |
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Form, head-to-head & standings
The numbers behind Rio Ave v Benfica — recent results, past meetings and where each side sits. (TACTIX’s model forecast is in the projections below.)
- 2026-01-17 Rio Ave 0–2 Benfica
- 2025-09-23 Benfica 1–1 Rio Ave
- 2025-03-16 Rio Ave 2–3 Benfica
- 2024-10-27 Benfica 5–0 Rio Ave
- 2024-05-17 Rio Ave 1–1 Benfica
- 2024-01-14 Benfica 4–1 Rio Ave
Frequently asked questions
- What is the head-to-head record between Rio Ave and Benfica?
- In their last 6 meetings, Rio Ave won 0, Benfica won 4 and there were 2 draws, averaging 3.5 goals per game.
- What is the recent form of Rio Ave and Benfica?
- Recent form — Rio Ave 2W 1D 2L; Benfica 4W 0D 1L.
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This page is generated from TACTIX’s match data by our software and checked automatically; data as of . How it works → · Report an error
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