MADEIRA, PORTUGAL — Rio Ave go dey ready to face Estrela Amadora on Sunday, May 5, 2025, at Estadio dos Arcos, as dem wan end their recent bad form. Both teams dey push hard to secure safety as Primeira Liga season dey enter last three games.
After dem suffer 3-0 loss to Vitoria de Guimaraes last weekend, Rio Ave don face reality of dem struggles. The defeat come after dem manage to beat Moreirense and draw with Santa Clara, but that performance no enough to take dem far. With just 33 goals scored this season, dem attack don dey weak, but dem defensive record try salvage the situation with 52 goals conceeded, being the highest for teams wey no dey threat to drop zone.
Manager Petit don dey talk about reaching 37 points, the same as last season, but dem need better results urgently. As e be now, dem dey sit 13th on 33 points, nine clear of the relegation playoff zone. A draw fit do enough to secure dem safety, but dem need full points to ease any tension.
However, dem record against Estrela dey no too encouraging, as dem no fit win the last three meetings, with the last clash ending in 1-0 loss for Rio Ave. Dem home ground no too strong either, with dem failing to win any of the last three league matches dey play at Estadio dos Arcos.
Meanwhile, Estrela go enter di match with fresh hope after dem beat Porto 2-0 last weekend. Dis win don help dem climb five points clear of the relegation zone, as dem enjoy better form lately, especially away from home. Estrela don get only two wins in six games, but both victories don come with clean sheets, showing sey dem defense dey sharp.
Estrela currently dey sit 9th, with 29 points from eight wins, nine draws, and 14 losses. Their scoring don dey low this season, with just 24 goals. Their away record recently don improve, as dem don take maximum points from two of their last five away games, something wey dem struggle to do prior.
Rio Ave dey hope say returning players fit make a difference as some key players dey near full fitness, while Estrela go stick to their winning formula from last match. The game don plenty tension for both sides, as dem both need the three points to secure better positioning.
The mandatory lineups for both teams go likely include:
Rio Ave: Miszta; Vrousai, Panzo, Ntoi, Tome; Tiknaz, Neto, Aguilera; Morais, Clayton, Luiz.
Estrela Amadora: Costa; Montoia, Drame, Pantalon, Travassos; Oudrhiri, Ruiz, Moreira; Bucca, Kikas, Cabral.
As both teams dey prepare, nothing be like home advantage for Rio Ave, but Estrela don show resilience for away games. Di outcome go determine how dem both fit finish the season strong.
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