Primeira Liga · Matchday 11 
Our pick Away win Correct result
Rio Ave seek a standings climb against SC Braga
Rio Ave sit 16th after 10 matches and are looking to improve their position, but face an SC Braga side eight places and seven points above them. Braga arrive off a win, while Rio Ave have lost their last two league games.
📍 Estádio dos Arcos
Preview written:
All Matchday 11 matches Full head-to-head
Match report
Final result: Rio Ave 0-1 SC Braga.
Match statistics (home team first). Shots: 4–13; Shots on target: 3–2; Corners: 0–8; Expected goals: 0.26–1.91.
Goals
- 67' Ricardo Horta (pen.) · SC Braga
Cards
- 53' Diogo Nascimento · Rio Ave
- 67' Diogo Bezerra · Rio Ave
- 79' Fra Navarro · SC Braga
Match stats
⭐ Top-rated player: Vitor Carvalho (SC Braga) 7
Ratings and statistics: API-Football.
Confirmed lineups
Rio Ave · 4-2-3-1
- 99E. van der GouwG
- 20João ToméD
- 13J. LombotoD
- 39Gustavo ManchaD
- 17M. VrousaiD
- 79M. PatricioM
- 54G. LiavasM
- 7Diogo BezerraM
- 90Diogo NascimentoM
- 80S. ClemmensenM
- 11J. BlesaF
Coach: Vasco Seabra
SC Braga · 3-4-3
- 31Bernardo FontesG
- 14G. LagerbielkeD
- 37A. BarišićD
- 26B. Arrey-MbiD
- 7Diogo TravassosM
- 29J. GorbyM
- 8João MoutinhoM
- 77Gabri MartínezM
- 10Pau VictorF
- 9Fran NavarroF
- 21Ricardo HortaF
Coach: Franclim Carvalho
Match facts
Recent form
Last 5 league games, latest on the right
Goals per game
| · | Scored | Conceded |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Ave | 0.9 | 2.3 |
| SC Braga | 1.2 | 1.1 |
League position
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | SC Braga | 10 | +1 | 14 |
| 16 | Rio Ave | 10 | -14 | 7 |
Last meetings
- 2026 SC Braga 3-0 Rio Ave
- 2025 Rio Ave 2-2 SC Braga
- 2025 Rio Ave 2-1 SC Braga
- 2024 SC Braga 4-0 Rio Ave
- 2024 Rio Ave 0-0 SC Braga
PreviaXI model
Model confidence: Medium
- Expected goals (model)
- 0.89 – 1.79
- Double chance
- X2 · 81%1X 41% · 12 78%
- Over 2.5 goals
- 50%Over 1.5: 74% · Over 3.5: 28%
- Both teams score
- 49%
- Clean sheet
- 17% – 41%Rio Ave–SC Braga
- Half-time result
- 2 · 43%1 17% · X 40%
- Half-time / full-time
- 2/2 · 37%X/2 19% · X/X 13%
- Expected corners
- 9.23.3 – 5.9 · Over 9.5: 44%
- Expected cards
- 4.72.7 – 2.0 · Over 3.5: 66%
Statistical model based on expected goals (xG), results and match statistics from the last two seasons. For information only. How our model works →
A chance to climb
Rio Ave have conceded 23 goals in 10 Primeira Liga matches, the highest total in this preview’s two-team comparison, and go into Round 11 seeking to climb the standings. They are 16th of 18 on seven points, while SC Braga occupy eighth with 14 points and a goal difference of +1. The visitors are eight places and seven points ahead.
Rio Ave’s home record offers both encouragement and concern: they have won once and drawn once in five matches at Estádio dos Arcos, but have also conceded 15 goals there and are yet to keep a clean sheet. Braga have taken one win and two draws from five away games.
Recent results point to contrasting moods
Rio Ave have lost their last two league matches. Across their last five, they have recorded one win, one draw and three defeats, scoring seven goals and conceding 12. Their most recent league outing ended in defeat.
Braga’s latest match brought a win, though their last five league games also include one win, one draw and three defeats. They have scored five and conceded six over that stretch, and their four clean sheets in 10 league matches underline a defensive record that is notably stronger than Rio Ave’s.
Braga have had the edge lately
Across the last five meetings, Braga have won twice, Rio Ave once and the other two ended level. The most recent encounter, in February 2026, finished 3-0 to Braga. Rio Ave did win the previous meeting at home, 2-1, so the hosts have a recent result to draw on as they try to halt their current slide.
Rio Ave need more protection
Rio Ave’s 23 goals conceded in 10 matches are a clear obstacle to a standings climb, and their home fixtures have been especially difficult defensively: 15 goals against in five games. Braga have conceded 11 overall and kept four clean sheets, giving them a more reliable platform even after an uneven run of results.
Defensive records in focus
Rio Ave have scored seven times in their last five league matches, but conceding 12 in that span has made it difficult to turn goals into points. Braga’s last-five total is lower at five goals, yet they have conceded only six. That balance, combined with their stronger season-long defensive figures, gives the visitors reason to expect opportunities to control the contest.
Our prediction
Rio Ave’s need to climb the table should bring urgency, but their recent defensive record and lack of a home clean sheet leave little margin for error. Braga’s sturdier defence and advantage in the standings point towards a narrow away win.
Rio Ave 0-1 SC Braga
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