RIO AVE, Portugal (Interstat) — Rio Ave will look to build on a recent victory and extend its recent dominance over AVS Futebol when the two sides meet in Primeira Liga play on Friday.

The match at Estádio dos Arcos is scheduled for a 8:15 p.m. local time kickoff.

Rio Ave (8-10-12) enters the contest coming off a confidence-boosting 2-0 away win at Santa Clara on April 11. That result snapped a two-game losing streak and showcased the team’s ability to secure points on the road. Their form at home has been mixed, with a 2-1 loss to Alverca on April 4 preceding a strong 2-1 victory over Estoril on March 22.

AVS Futebol (5-11-14) arrives after a hard-fought 1-1 home draw with Vitoria SC on April 11. That point halted a concerning run of form for the newly promoted side, which had lost three of its previous four matches, including a 3-0 defeat at Gil Vicente on April 3. A persistent issue has been a lack of goals; AVS has been shut out in five of its last eight league contests.

The head-to-head history favors the hosts. In the most recent meeting on Dec. 6, 2025, Rio Ave secured a 2-1 away victory at AVS.

Tactically, the match pits Rio Ave’s momentum against AVS’s resilience. Rio Ave’s attack, which produced two goals in each of its last two wins, will test an AVS defense that has shown an ability to bunker down, evidenced by three scoreless draws since late February. However, AVS’s offensive struggles are a significant concern.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the most likely outcome is a 1-1 draw. This projection underscores AVS’s recent difficulty in finding a winning goal and Rio Ave’s inconsistent results at home this season.

A win for Rio Ave could see the club climb toward the middle of the table, while AVS desperately needs points to distance itself from the relegation zone. The pressure is particularly acute for the visitors, who have managed just one win in their last ten league outings.

The fixture is the only Primeira Liga match scheduled for Friday afternoon, offering the spotlight to two clubs with contrasting recent fortunes but an equal need for points as the 2025-26 season enters its final stages.