The 19th round of the Liga Portugal will see Rio Ave host Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio do Rio Ave. The home side currently sits in eleventh place, while Sporting Lisbon are fourth, 14 points ahead of them. Rio Ave are struggling for form with no wins in their last five league games. Going into this set of fixtures, Rio Ave are nine points adrift of the final European qualifying position but just seven above the relegation zone. They have won four home league games this season but have only earned one point from their last two. Goals aren't flowing with only nine scored and seven conceded. Six of their eight home league fixtures this season have seen under 2.5 goals scored.
Sporting Lisbon have their work cut out to qualify for the 2023/24 Champions League. They are fourth at present and five points adrift of third place. They narrowed the gap in midweek by beating third placed Braga 5-0 at home. That was a good response to losing the League Cup final to Porto last weekend. Sporting have only lost one of their last seven league games but need to improve their away form having only won one of their last four in the Primeira League. Their last away fixture did see them draw 2-2 at leaders Benfica, but they led twice in that match. Sporting beat Rio Ave 3-0 in the reverse fixture and can complete the double.