Friday night damp squib in Portugal
The Primeira Liga has an interesting Friday evening offering where some more high profile domestic divisions are yet to return.
Newly promoted Rio Ave host Maritimo with the chance to climb into the top seven in Portugal.
The Portuguese were impressive in flashes at the World Cup and would have fancied their chances at stopping France at the semi final stage, had they been able to break down the Moroccan wall that eventually sent them packing.
There has been a growing trend of players from the Primeira Liga moving on to top Premier League clubs in the last few transfer windows, and ahead of the January transfer window there could be more eyes on the league.
Process
Maritimo have struggled at the start of this season, and sit second bottom in the division, picking up just six points from 13 outings.
That said, the five-point gap between them and safety feels bridgeable if they can tighten up at the back.
The visitors have scored just eight goals from 15.9 expected goals (xG) for, creating chances at an average of 1.22 xGF per game, their finishing will not be this poor all season.
Defensively, the visitors are the most leaky in the division according to xGA and goals against, conceding 27 goals from 26.6 xGA, allowing chances on their own goal at 2.05 xGA per game on average.
Even a side trending towards the middle of the table in the final third would be in the thick of a relegation battle with that defensive process, and it will be interesting to see if they have been able to shore themselves up ahead of the trip to Rio Ave.
Rio Ave’s attacking process has been very concerning this season, creating chances at an average of just 0.85 xGF per game, with an overperformance to score 16 from 11.1 xGF helping them build a platform to comfortably maintain their top-flight status.
Goals?
Unders is my way into this fixture, Jose Gomes will be looking to tighten the visitors up at the back, and the hosts’ attacking numbers does not convince me that they can get the job done with room to spare.
Rio Ave have scored in eight of ten.
Rio Ave have conceded in five of ten.
Rio Ave have seen both teams score in three of ten.
Rio Ave have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
Maritimo have scored in five of ten.
Maritimo have conceded in eight of ten.
Maritimo have seen both teams score in four of ten.
Maritimo have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
1-1, a successful Portuguese excursion.