Rio Ave FC vs Benfica: match statistics
Benfica presents significantly higher form and quality, occupying 3rd place in the table with an impressive away record (75% wins, 0% losses). Rio Ave FC is in 10th position with mediocre home form (25% wins, goal difference -3). The visitors' key advantage is visible in offensive statistics: an average of 2.13 goals per away match with just 0.5 conceded, while the hosts average 1.25 scored and 1.63 conceded at home. Benfica also dominates in terms of possession (57% vs 47%) and expected goals (xG 1.68 vs 1.09 for Rio Ave). The recent form of both teams (1.4 PPG in the last 5 matches) might suggest a balanced contest, yet Benfica's quality advantage and stability on the road favor an away win. The risk of a draw exists due to Benfica's solid defense and Rio Ave's unpredictability on their own turf.
Rio Ave FC vs Benfica: form, goals and key statistics
Game details
Rio Ave FC played against Benfica in Liga NOS (Portugal). The game was played on January 17, 2026. Final score: 0:2.
Recent form
Rio Ave FC has 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses over its last five games, averaging 1.40 points per game. Benfica has 3 wins, 2 draws and 0 losses, with 2.20 points per game.
Scoring records
Rio Ave FC scores 1.29 goals per game and allows 1.71. Benfica scores 2.12 and allows 0.65. Games in this league average 2.72 goals.
BTTS and goal totals
Both teams score in 65% of Rio Ave FC's games and 53% of Benfica's. The Over 2.5 rates are 65% and 65%, compared with league averages of 46% for BTTS and 54% for Over 2.5.
xG and shots
Benfica has the higher season xG average, 1.82 to 1.06 per game. Rio Ave FC takes 9.3 shots per game, while Benfica takes 15.6.
First-half and second-half trends
Rio Ave FC leads at halftime in 29% of its games and scores 0.76 goals per game after halftime. Benfica leads at halftime in 53% and scores 1.12 after halftime.
When the teams score
Rio Ave FC's most productive scoring window is minutes 61-75 (5 goals). For Benfica, it is minutes 31-45+ (9 goals). These are past scoring patterns, not predicted goal times.
League scoring profile
Liga Portugal games average 2.72 goals. Both teams score in 46% of games, and 54% finish with at least three goals.
Head-to-head record
Before this game, one previous meeting was available. The record was 0 home wins, 1 draw and 0 away wins. Those games averaged 2.00 goals, with both teams scoring in 100% of them.
Archived pre-match analysis
This analysis was prepared before kick-off. The conclusions use only information available before the match and do not include the final result or post-match statistics.
General match analysis
Benfica presents significantly higher form and quality, occupying 3rd place in the table with an impressive away record (75% wins, 0% losses). Rio Ave FC is in 10th position with mediocre home form (25% wins, goal difference -3). The visitors' key advantage is visible in offensive statistics: an average of 2.13 goals per away match with just 0.5 conceded, while the hosts average 1.25 scored and 1.63 conceded at home. Benfica also dominates in terms of possession (57% vs 47%) and expected goals (xG 1.68 vs 1.09 for Rio Ave). The recent form of both teams (1.4 PPG in the last 5 matches) might suggest a balanced contest, yet Benfica's quality advantage and stability on the road favor an away win. The risk of a draw exists due to Benfica's solid defense and Rio Ave's unpredictability on their own turf.
View the statistical overviewStats by half
Game stats
Pre-game profile— what do the season numbers say?
This team profile combines season stats and recent form. In-game statistics appear after the final whistle.
Team stats— who is more efficient?
Compare both teams' attacking and defensive records this season.
Shooting quality
| Rio Ave FC | Benfica | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (shots on target) | 42% | 37% |
| Chance quality (xG per shot) | 0.11 | 0.12 |
| Finishing (goals per shot on target) | 0.33 | 0.37 |
xG per shot around 0.08 usually means long-range attempts; 0.15+ usually means box chances. The style label comes from possession, shot volume and conversion.
* xG (expected goals) says how many goals a team should score from its chances. If actual goals are above xG, finishing is above average; if below xG, chances are being missed.
Team form— who is in better shape?
Last five games and season record, overall, at home and away.
Benfica is 57% better for: last-5 form.
1.4 pts / game - Rio Ave FC · 2.2 pts / game - Benfica
Goals— how do both teams score and concede?
How many goals both teams score and concede, plus how often they keep a clean sheet or fail to score.
Benfica is 64% better for: goals scored per game.
1.29 goals / game - Rio Ave FC · 2.12 goals / game - Benfica
Benfica is 163% better for: goals allowed per game.
1.71 goals / game - Rio Ave FC · 0.65 goals / game - Benfica
Rio Ave FC scores in 71% of games (12 of 17 meczów), while Benfica keeps a clean sheet in 47% (8 of 17 meczów).
Benfica scores in 94% of games (16 of 17 meczów), while Rio Ave FC keeps a clean sheet in 12% (2 of 17 meczów).
How often they score at least...
How often they concede at least...
* Statistics include both teams' home and away games this season.
Both teams scored (BTTS)— how often do both teams score?
How often games involving these teams produce goals at both ends, compared with the league average.
Goal patterns
BTTS and goal count
Goal count (Over/Under)— how often do these games cross the goal lines?
See how often games involving these teams clear each goal line, for the full game and each half.
Full game - team comparison (Over)
Over / Under - Rio Ave FC
Over / Under - Benfica
1st half
2nd half
Game halves— when do the teams score more often?
How teams split performance between first and second half: goals, points, clean sheets and half-time state.
Benfica is 61% better for: first-half form (half-time points).
1.24 pts / game - Rio Ave FC · 2 pts / game - Benfica
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Rio Ave FC - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 29% of games and wins 24%. Usually protects a halftime lead through the final whistle.
Allows 0.4 more goals per game after halftime, a sign that the defense becomes less effective later in games.
Benfica - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 53% of games and wins 65%. Also wins some games without leading at halftime.
Defense stays consistent across the full game.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 1.00 | 1.20 |
| Goals scored / game | 0.4 | 1.0 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.6 | 1.2 |
| Average goals per game | 1.0 | 2.2 |
| 1 goal | 80% | 80% |
| 2 goals | 20% | 80% |
| 3 goals | 0% | 40% |
| Clean sheet | 40% | 20% |
| No goal | 60% | 40% |
| Goal difference | -1 | -1 |
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 2.00 | 2.20 |
| Goals scored / game | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Average goals per game | 2.0 | 1.0 |
| 1 goal | 100% | 60% |
| 2 goals | 60% | 20% |
| 3 goals | 40% | 20% |
| Clean sheet | 40% | 100% |
| No goal | 0% | 40% |
| Goal difference | +2 | +5 |
* Table colors show frequency: green is common, yellow is moderate and red is rare. They are not team ratings.
Goals by minute— when do goals arrive?
The parts of a game in which both teams score and allow the most goals.
Most dangerous in minutes 61-75 (5 goals). Concedes most in 76-90 (7). Late-goal balance (76-90): -2 - late phases are a weakness.
Most dangerous in minutes 31-45 (9 goals). Concedes most in 76-90 (4). Late-goal balance (76-90): +4 - wins late phases.
* Buckets 31-45 and 76-90 include added-time goals.
Additional team indicators— what do xG, efficiency and form show?
A comparison of chance quality, results and trends from completed games this season.
Game profile
Rio Ave FC
Benfica
* The estimated goal total and split, BTTS estimate, 0:0 risk and goal range use public season averages and frequencies for both teams. This is a statistical game profile, not a private model prediction or betting pick. The remaining indicators describe completed games from the season.
League context— is this a high-scoring league?
How both teams compare with league-wide averages (Liga Portugal).
Teams vs league
| Rio Ave FC | Liga | Benfica | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals per game | ▲ 3.00 | 2.72 | • 2.76 |
| Both teams scored | ▲ 65% | 46% | ▲ 53% |
| Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) | ▲ 65% | 54% | ▲ 65% |
| Clean sheets | ▼ 12% | 30% | ▲ 47% |
| Goal before half-time | ▲ 76% | 73% | ▼ 65% |
| Goal after half-time | ▲ 82% | 76% | • 76% |
^ green = above league average, ˇ red = below league average. This shows direction of the gap, not a team rating.
Lineups and player events
Verified starters, substitutes and recorded player events for this match.
Home team
Starting lineup
Away team
Starting lineup
Match timeline
Goals, cards and substitutions arranged in chronological order.
Referee and managers
Open their season profiles to compare match records, goals and disciplinary trends.
Head-to-head
Record from Rio Ave FC's perspective: 0 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses against Benfica. Games average 2.00 goals, and both teams scored in 100% of them.
FAQ
What was the result of Rio Ave FC vs Benfica?
The Liga NOS match finished Rio Ave FC 0:2 Benfica. Full match statistics, the half-by-half breakdown and head-to-head are on this page.
What do the goal statistics show before Rio Ave FC vs Benfica?
Rio Ave FC score 1.29 goals per game on average and Benfica 2.12. The Liga NOS average is 2.72 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 54% of games. Both teams score in 65% of Rio Ave FC's matches and 53% of Benfica's.
What form are Rio Ave FC and Benfica in?
Over the last 5 games Rio Ave FC have a 2-1-2 record (1.40 points per game) and Benfica 3-2-0 (2.20 points per game).
Where can I find a betting tip and analysis for Rio Ave FC vs Benfica?
The statistical background for Rio Ave FC vs Benfica — form, head-to-head, goals, BTTS and Over/Under — is on this page. The tip with full reasoning and a value assessment is in the NoFluffPicks app.