👉 What is the recommended bet for Rio Ave vs Benfica?

The prediction and betting suggestion for Rio Ave vs Benfica on January 17, 2026, as analyzed by expert Tipsters, is: Both teams to score? Yes ⇒ available bet on Bet365.

👉 What stadium will be hosting Rio Ave vs Benfica?

The Rio Ave vs Benfica game on January 17, 2026, will take place in Vila do Conde, at the Estádio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube.

👉 What is the most popular bet for this game?

The most favored bet by experts for the Rio Ave vs Benfica match in the "predictions" market was Benfica's victory on Bet365 with 89% of suggestions.

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Rio Ave vs Benfica Prediction – Primeira League

January 17, 2026[email protected]

Check out the best predictions for Rio Ave vs Benfica

Here you will find the best prediction for Rio Ave vs Benfica in the Primeira Liga, along with a match analysis and betting tips.

Read below for our detailed analysis of both teams, including recent form and key statistics from last games to provide the best prediction for this match between Rio Ave and Benfica.

Rio Ave

January 17, 2026 – 20::30
Primeira Liga
2025/2026
Regular season – Round 18

Benfica

Betting tip and prediction for this match between Rio Ave and Benfica

The best prediction for
Rio Ave vs Benfica in the Primeira Liga is that both teams will score. Given the immense pressure the red team is facing and the difficulty of playing at Estádio dos Arcos, seeing odds of 1.28 for Benfica’s victory is not surprising. When considering the mental and physical fatigue, this game will be tough for José Mourinho and his players. With the attacking quality of Rio Ave, focusing on the goal market, especially for both teams to score, is advisable, offering odds well above 1.80.

Best prediction for Rio Ave vs Benfica

Over 0.5 goals in the first half (live betting suggestion)
Over 1.5 goals (live betting suggestion, double or triple)
Both teams to score (riskier suggestion)

Match prediction for Rio Ave vs Benfica

The teams Rio Ave and Benfica are set to clash at the Estádio do Rio Ave Futebol Clube for the 18th round of the Primeira Liga. In their last encounter on September 23, 2025, the teams drew 1-1. The head-to-head record at this stadium favors the visiting team, who have won 2 and drawn 1 of their last 3 matches. In fact, Benfica managed a 2-3 victory during their last match played here on March 16, 2025. Goals were scored by Clayton (75′) and Brandon Aguilera (64′) for Rio Ave, while Kerem Aktürkoğlu (80′), Orkun Kökçü (30′), and Vangelis Pavlidis (53′) found the net for Benfica. The home advantage might play a crucial role, as Benfica has shown differing performances at home and away.

Analysis of Rio Ave

Following 4 wins, 8 draws, and 5 losses, the home team currently stands in 10th place with 20 points. In their last match, they won against Casa Pia at home by 3-1, having lost 4-0 to Sporting CP in their previous game. This team is not significantly affected by home advantage, often showing similar results at home and away. From their last 30 matches, they registered 3 wins, 6 draws, and 6 losses as visitors, scoring 19 goals and conceding 31. At home, they have 4 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, with 19 goals scored and 23 conceded. In the league, Rio Ave has earned 9 points out of 24 possible, with 2 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses in their last 8 home games. The team conceded goals to their opponents in 9 of their last 10 matches, showcasing a lack of defensive solidity, but their attack has been regular, scoring in 7 of their last 10 league matches. Out of 17 league matches, they suffered the first goal 9 times and managed just 1 comeback.

Rio Ave remains on a real “roller-coaster,” winning their last match. A triumph over Casa Pia by 3-1 will boost their morale as they prepare to face Benfica. The Vilacondenses had higher expectations for this season despite many changes in both the squad and coaching staff. Still, the management persists with their plans, even with the team in a modest 10th place. It seems improbable that Rio Ave could contend for the top 6 or 7 positions, given that other teams are performing significantly better. Now they are set to meet Benfica again, whom they previously faced in September, ending in a 1-1 draw at Estádio da Luz.

Confirmed lineup: Cezary Miszta, Nelson Abbey, Marios Vrousai, Andreas Ntoi, Jakub Brabec, Francisco Petrasso, João Tomé, Brandon Aguilera, Dario Spikic, Clayton, André Luiz.
Coach: P. Fernandes da Silva Cunha.

Analysis of Benfica

After 11 wins and 6 draws, the visiting team sits in 3rd place with 39 points. They won their last match against Estoril at home by 3-1 but drew 2-2 away against Sporting Braga in the match before. This team has surprisingly performed better away than at home, with 30 games resulting in 9 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses as visitors; compared to 8 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses at their home ground. In their latest match for the Taça de Portugal, they lost to Porto away by 1-0. In their last 8 away league games, Benfica achieved 6 wins and 2 draws, accumulating 20 points out of a possible 24.

In this competition, they have not lost as visitors in their last 8 games. The most common result at halftime in their away league matches has been 0-0 (4 in 8 matches). Their attack has been consistently finding the net, scoring in 9 of their last 10 league matches. Away from home in this competition, there is a trend for high-scoring games, as 6 out of 8 finished with more than 2.5 goals. This is a team that often finds it easy to open the scoring, having struck first in 13 of their last 17 league matches, from which they led at halftime in 8 and maintained the lead until the final whistle in 9.

José Mourinho continues to be the best Portuguese coach of all time, or at least the most decorated, and one of the best worldwide. However, this has not been enough to elevate Benfica to another level. Recently, the Eagles saw two out of their four goals for the current season slip through their grasp, notably the Taça da Liga and Taça de Portugal. Facing the “hangover” from the game with FC Porto, and knowing their only remaining goal is to pursue the league title, this team, under Mourinho’s guidance, faces Rio Ave. The draw at Luz should serve as a warning for Benfica, as the team cannot use fatigue as an excuse, whether physical or psychological!

Confirmed lineup: Anatoliy Trubin, Amar Dedić, Nicolás Otamendi, Tomás Araújo, Samuel Dahl, Richard Ríos, Leandro Barreiro, Manu Silva, Georgiy Sudakov, Vangelis Pavlidis, Gianluca Prestianni.
Coach: R. Schmidt.

Best prediction for Rio Ave vs Benfica

Over 0.5 goals in the first half (live betting suggestion)
Over 1.5 goals (live betting suggestion, double or triple)
Both teams to score (riskier suggestion)