FC Porto vs Rio Ave

Porto will resume their Primeira Liga campaign on Saturday with a match against Rio Ave, aiming for their third consecutive victory at Estádio do Dragão.

Since stepping up as head coach, Vítor Bruno has made a promising start, and the former assistant coach is targeting another win in gameweek three against an opponent that has only defeated them once in their last 10 encounters.

In their previous match, Porto secured their second win of the season against Santa Clara in just 25 minutes, thanks to goals from Ivan Jaime (16) and Wanderson Galeno (25), which put them ahead in the first half-hour.

Despite Adriano Firmino's red card in the 65th minute, Porto maintained their lead without adding further goals, opting to control the game rather than press for more.

This victory means the 30-time champions remain unbeaten as they head into their third league game of the 2024-25 season, having scored five goals and kept two consecutive clean sheets.

Porto is one of five teams that won their first two games, alongside Sporting, Famalicão, Moreirense, and Vitória. They aim to extend their strong start on Saturday with a third win, following victories over Sporting (Portuguese Super Cup), Gil Vicente, and Santa Clara.

However, they are determined to avoid a repeat of last season’s goalless draw in this fixture.

Rio Ave hopes to demonstrate the fortitude that allowed them to keep the Blue and Whites to a scoreless draw at the Dragao in February even though they were up against 24 shots.

Luis Freire, who spearheaded the point many months ago, is still in the lineup for Rioavistas, who defeated Farense 1-0 last week and are trying to win two straight games.

Patrick William scored the game's lone goal just after the half hour, sealing victory for Freire's team and helping them recover from their opening-day loss at Sporting despite being outshot on home ground.

The Vila do Conde team is in for another difficult journey as they travel to face a potential title rival; they are hoping for a rematch of their matchup from the previous season.

Given the history of this match, where Rio Ave has lost six of the previous ten meetings, including two of the last three (one tie), it is easier said than done.

Ivan Marcano and Zaidu Sanusi, who both have knee problems, are expected to be the home team's absences, while Porto has no fresh injury concerns.

As we enter gameweek three, Jaime and Galeno each have two goals under their belts. Despite the fact that the left-back's goals have come from a distance of twelve yards, both players hope to increase their totals.

With almost everyone else available on the away side, Miguel Nobrega is a touch-and-go for Rio Ave.

After a promising last 30 minutes against Farense, Tiago Morais is vying for a start in the forward positions at Ole Pohlmann's cost.