Rio Ave vs Famalicao — Tips & Analysis

Under 2.5: These two clubs have a long habit of playing out quiet games. Eight of their 13 meetings have been ties, and those games averaged under 2 goals each. That is the strongest reason to back a low-scoring night. Rio Ave do not create much. They score a goal a game, and they have won 4, tied 4 and lost 7 of their last 15. At their own ground they have won only 1 of 7, so they rarely get on top of anyone. Famalicao are even quieter. They have tied 7 of their last 14 games, and they score less than a goal a game. On the road they let in less than a goal a game. They have won by 2 or more goals just once in their last 14. Neither side has the punch to pull away from the other. Rio Ave have had 8 days since their last game and Famalicao 7, so both should start this one carefully. A 1-1 tie is our read, and that is exactly the sort of game we want. The risk sits with Rio Ave's home games. They have let in more than 2 goals a game there, and their recent home games produced a 3-2 win over Nacional and a 3-3 tie with Estrela. If this one turns loose early, the whole case goes. We are still backing the quiet game.