The upcoming match on January 17, 2026, at the Estádio do Rio Ave promises to be a stern test for the home side. Benfica arrives in Vila do Conde as the clear favorite, sitting third in the table and remaining unbeaten this season. For local fans browsing football news in anticipation of the game, the statistics look alarming: historically, their club has never defeated the Lisbon «Eagles,» and breaking this tradition now will be incredibly difficult.
Jose Mourinho’s Invincible Streak
Under the guidance of Mourinho, Benfica is demonstrating pragmatic yet highly effective football. The team remains the only one in the league with a zero in the «losses» column after 17 rounds (11 wins, 6 draws). The Lisbon defense works like clockwork, having conceded only 11 goals—the second-best record in the championship.
Vangelis Pavlidis acts as the key figure in the visitors' attack. The Greek forward is in phenomenal form, having scored 17 goals already. It is often his clinical finishing that becomes decisive in tight matches. An average team rating of 7.00 and ball possession of 57.8% indicate total control of the game by Mourinho’s men.
The Hosts' Struggles and Hopes
Rio Ave sits in the middle of the table (10th place), alternating between successful matches and failures. The team's main problem is undoubtedly their defense. Having conceded 29 goals, they hold a negative goal difference (-7), which looks dangerous against Benfica's potent attack.
However, the hosts have an ace up their sleeve—striker Clayton. The Brazilian has already scored 10 times this season and can cause problems for any backline. Rio Ave’s chances lie in the following areas:
- Utilizing rapid counter-attacks, considering their lower average possession (45.8%).
- Maintaining maximum concentration during set-pieces, where Clayton is particularly dangerous.
- Finding the psychological determination to finally break the winless streak against the giants.
Tactical Pattern of the Game
The match scenario is somewhat predictable: Benfica will likely dominate the ball and methodically attempt to dismantle the opponent's defense. Mourinho will almost certainly take into account that Rio Ave has lost 5 matches this season and will try to pressure the weak zones of the hosts' full-backs.
Crucial statistical indicators before the meeting include:
- Defensive reliability: Benfica has kept its opponents scoreless in 8 matches, whereas Rio Ave has managed only 2 clean sheets.
- Attacking power: The visitors score an average of 2.1 goals per game compared to 1.3 for the hosts.
- Discipline: Mourinho's team rarely allows opponents to create clear chances, controlling the tempo effectively.
Ultimately, although football is full of surprises, the difference in class and current form is evident. Rio Ave will have to punch above its weight to take points from the undefeated Benfica. A victory for the visitors is essential to keep the pressure on Porto and Sporting in the fierce race for the league title.
