In-form Sporting should clock up another win

Rio Ave v Sporting
FreeSports, 8.15pm Monday

Rio Ave's league position may not be telling the full story and Sporting look worth backing to grab maximum points from the trip north from Lisbon to Vila de Conde.

Rio began the weekend fifth in Portugal's Primeira Liga, a fine effort and the same position they occupied at the end of the last campaign to qualify for Europe.

Their assault on the Europa League lasted one tie, a 5-4 aggregate defeat to Polish outfit Jagiellonia, and Rio are likely to struggle to contain the attacking talent in the visiting ranks.

Rio have goals in them with Carlos Vinicius, Wenderson Galeno and Gelson regularly hitting the net, but their only clean sheet in the league this season came in a 1-0 win over lowly Chaves.

It has also been a soft start for Rio, who have played one of their ten league games against teams who started the weekend in the top half and on most shot metrics the hosts are punching above their weight.

Sporting have won four times and drawn at Arsenal in their last five matches and with Bas Dost banging in the goals, the Lions could be Porto's closest challengers for the title this season.

Recommendation
Sporting
2pts 5-6 Betway

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