Rio Ave vs Moreirense – News and Probable Lineups

Rio Ave, a team facing challenges and considering a managerial change, will take on Moreirense this Monday in the last match of Primeira Liga matchday 22, with both squads in search of vital momentum for their own reasons.

A series of lackluster performances have put head coach Sotiris Silaidopoulos under intense scrutiny as the Vila do Conde team, now sitting 14th in the Portuguese top division, is only three points clear of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, the Green and Whites have slipped to eighth place and currently trail the top four by nine points.

Match overview

Reports indicate that Rio Ave is already looking into possible successors for Silaidopoulos, whose position is becoming increasingly precarious amid a challenging season.

After breaking a three-match winless streak (D1, L2) with a victory against Casa Pia, the Vilacondenses have since suffered four consecutive defeats, each by two goals or more, conceding 12 goals without responding.

A 3–0 loss to Braga last weekend followed a recognized pattern for Rio Ave, as they conceded in both halves for the third consecutive match, with Florian Grillitsch scoring early for the Archbishops followed by Ricardo Horta’s two goals after halftime.

This result leaves the Vilacondenses with six losses in their last nine league matches (W1, D2), a striking contrast to their earlier resilience when they lost only three times in their first 12 games (W3, L6).

A significant issue for Rio Ave has been their ineffectiveness in attack, with all recent defeats coming without a goal, coinciding with the midseason departures of Clayton and Andre Luiz, who accounted for around 75% of Rio Ave’s 22 goals this term.

Home games have brought little solace, as the Vilacondenses have recorded just two victories in 10 league matches played at home this season (D3, L5), losing the last two.

While Moreirense will aim to take advantage of the hosts’ troubles, they have not been particularly convincing recently, suffering three losses in their last four outings (W1), including a disappointing 2–1 defeat against their fellow Minho rivals Gil Vicente at home last weekend.

Despite a couple of setbacks with the dismissal of defender Alvaro Martinez and head coach Vasco Botelho da Costa, the Green and Whites rallied in the second half, as Diogo Travassos equalized in the 67th minute, only for a late strike from Hector Hernandez to hand a critical defeat to the already understrength hosts.

This defeat marked back-to-back losses in the league for Moreirense, who were beaten the previous week by Vitoria de Guimaraes. Nonetheless, with three wins from six matches in 2026 (L3), they have shown an improvement compared to a winless finish to last year (D3, L2).

Currently positioned several points behind the top four and seven points shy of fifth-placed Gil Vicente, a win on Monday would greatly enhance the Green and Whites’ prospects for European qualification; however, their away record, featuring only three wins from 11 league away games this season (D2, L6), raises questions about their chances.

Nonetheless, Moreirense can draw some confidence from a 3–1 victory in the earlier fixture, though this remains their only success from the last four encounters in the Primeira Liga against Rio Ave (D1, L2), with their last visit to Vila do Conde resulting in a defeat.

Team News

Rio Ave will be missing midfielder Brandon Aguilera for the rest of the season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Goalkeeper Cezary Miszta has sat out the last three matches due to a back injury and is expected to remain unavailable, which means Ennio van der Gouw is set to retain his place in the starting XI.

Winter signing Tamble Monteiro faced challenges during his debut last time out and will compete with Jalen Blesa for a spot in the attack.

Moreirense will continue to be without defender Michel Augusto, while midfielder Vasco Sousa is still on the road to recovery from a fractured fibula.

Martínez is serving a suspension following his red card, but head coach Da Costa is set to return to the touchline after completing his eight-day suspension.

Rio Ave probable starting XI:

Van der Gouw; Brabec, Petrasso, Abbey; Richards, Nikitscher, Papakanellos, Vrousai; Bezerra, Blesa, Spikic

Moreirense probable starting XI:

Ferreira; Pinto, Batista, Maracas, Kiko; Alanzinho, Assis, R Alonso; Travassos, Semedo, Landerson

Rio Ave’s mid-season changes have yet to bring about unity, and with confidence wavering, they may continue to face difficulties.

Moreirense have not been without their own flaws, yet their campaign has been steadier overall, and they could edge a closely fought match if they display greater composure in attacking situations.