The big picture

Rio Ave come in 17th on the ladder with 7 points; Benfica are 2nd on 28. Benfica are the side higher up the table.

Form

Rio Ave have won one of their last five and most recently lost to Jagiellonia Bialystok 4–4.

Benfica have won four of their last five and most recently beat Lech Poznan 3–1.

Benfica arrive on a 4-game winning streak.

Rio Ave have lost their last three.

Head to head

We have no previous meeting between these two on record, so this one is a genuine first look.

Players to watch

For Rio Ave, watch Galeno (1 goals a game in 2018-19) and Gelson Dala (0.5 goals a game in 2018-19).

For Benfica, watch Jhon Durán (0.7 goals a game in 2026-27) and Vangelis Pavlidis (0.7 goals a game in 2026-27).

Milestone watch

Vangelis Pavlidis is set to play game 150.

At Estádio do Rio Ave

Rio Ave have won 3 of their last 7 at Estádio do Rio Ave.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder, Benfica go in as clear favourites.