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
Key match information
Rio Ave FC played Benfica in Liga NOS (Portugal). The match was played on 17 January 2026. Final score: 0:2.
Current form
Rio Ave FC: 2-1-2, 1.40 points/match. Benfica: 3-2-0, 2.20 points/match.
Goal statistics
Rio Ave FC scores 1.29 and concedes 1.71 goals per match. Benfica scores 2.12 and concedes 0.65. League average: 2.72 goals.
BTTS / Over / Under
BTTS: Rio Ave FC 65%, Benfica 53%. Over 2.5: Rio Ave FC 65%, Benfica 65%. League level: BTTS 46%, Over 2.5 54%.
xG, shots and style
Benfica has higher xG: 1.82 vs 1.06. Rio Ave FC: 9.3 shots per match, Benfica: 15.6.
Match halves
Rio Ave FC: half-time lead 29%, second-half goals 0.76. Benfica: half-time lead 53%, second-half goals 1.12.
Goals by minute
Rio Ave FC: 61-75 (5 goals). Benfica: 31-45+ (9 goals). This is historical distribution, not a predicted goal minute.
League context
Liga Portugal: 2.72 goals per match, BTTS 46%, Over 2.5 54%.
Head-to-head
Before this fixture, 1 previous H2H matches were available: 0-1-0. Average goals 2.00, BTTS 100%.
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 overviewHalf-by-half
Match statistics
Pre-match profile— what do the season numbers say?
This is a team profile based on season data and form. Match-flow statistics are shown only after the fixture is played.
Team stats— who is more efficient?
Attack and defence comparison for both teams in the current 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 matches and season record, overall and split by home and away matches.
Benfica is 57% better for: last-5 form.
1.4 pts / match - Rio Ave FC · 2.2 pts / match - 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 match.
1.29 goals / match - Rio Ave FC · 2.12 goals / match - Benfica
Benfica is 163% better for: goals conceded per match.
1.71 goals / match - Rio Ave FC · 0.65 goals / match - Benfica
Rio Ave FC scores in 71% of matches (12 of 17 matches), while Benfica keeps a clean sheet in 47% (8 of 17 matches).
Benfica scores in 94% of matches (16 of 17 matches), while Rio Ave FC keeps a clean sheet in 12% (2 of 17 matches).
How often they score at least...
How often they concede at least...
* Statistics include both teams' home and away matches in the current season.
Both teams scored (BTTS)— how often do both teams score?
How often both teams' matches have goals on both sides, compared with the league average.
Goal patterns
BTTS and goal count
Goal count (Over/Under)— how often do these matches cross the goal lines?
How often matches involving these teams clear goal thresholds, in the full match and in each half.
Full match - team comparison (Over)
Over / Under - Rio Ave FC
Over / Under - Benfica
1st half
2nd half
Match 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 / match - Rio Ave FC · 2 pts / match - Benfica
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Rio Ave FC - second-half results
Leads at half-time in 29% of matches and wins 24%. Usually protects the lead until full-time.
Concedes 0.4 more goals per match after half-time - defensive level drops in the second half.
Benfica - second-half results
Leads at half-time in 53% of matches and wins 65%. Also wins matches without a half-time lead.
Defence stays stable across the full match.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per match | 1.00 | 1.20 |
| Goals scored / match | 0.4 | 1.0 |
| Goals conceded / match | 0.6 | 1.2 |
| Average goals in match | 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 match | 2.00 | 2.20 |
| Goals scored / match | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Goals conceded / match | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Average goals in match | 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 |
* Colours in tables show event frequency: green is common, yellow is moderate, red is rare. It is frequency, not a team rating.
Goals by minute— when do goals arrive?
Match phases in which both teams most often score and concede.
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 based on completed matches from the current season.
Match profile
Rio Ave FC
Benfica
* The estimated goal total and split, BTTS estimate, 0:0 risk and goal range are calculated from public season averages and frequencies for both teams. This is a statistical match profile, not a private model prediction or betting pick. The remaining indicators describe completed matches 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 in match | ▲ 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
Previous meeting: Rio Ave FC 0 - 1 - 0 Benfica. Average goals 2.00, both teams scored in 100% matches.
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.