Saturday's Primeira Liga predictions including Rio Ave vs. Sporting Lisbon

Santa Clara vs. Estoril (Saturday, 3.30pm)

Santa Clara set out in search of their first win of the year when they go head-to-head with Estoril Praia at the Estadio de Sao Miguel in round 18 of Primeira Liga on Saturday.

The Azoreans fought back from behind to secure an emphatic 4-1 victory when the two sides met in August's season opener and will look to do the league double over the visitors for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign.

We say: Santa Clara 2-1 Estoril Praia

While Sant Clara appear to have run out of steam of late, managing just one win from their last five games, they will be backing themselves to find their feet against Estoril, who have struggled to impose themselves on the road.

Matos' men have won three of the last four meetings between the two teams since April 2022 and we are tipping them to secure all three points in front of their home supporters this weekend.

> Primeira Liga Preview: Santa Clara vs Estoril

Rio Ave vs. Sporting Lisbon (Saturday, 6.00pm)

Rio Ave and Sporting Lisbon are in action in round 18 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga when they go head-to-head at the Estadio dos Arcos on Saturday.

Both sides head into the weekend off the back of contrasting cup results, with the visitors suffering a penalty-shootout defeat against rivals Benfica in the Taca da Liga final.

We say: Rio Ave 0-3 Sporting Lisbon

Still licking their wounds from their Taca da Liga heartbreak, Sporting Lisbon will be looking to clean the dust off their feet this weekend and open up a four-point lead at the top of the table.

While we expect Rio Ave to put up a fight in front of their home supporters, Borges' side boasts the firepower needed to get the job done and we are tipping them to secure all three points.

> Primeira Liga Preview: Rio Ave vs Sporting Lisbon

Guimaraes vs. Arouca (Saturday, 8.30pm)

Fresh off the back of a disappointing fifth-round exit from the Taca de Portugal, Vitoria de Guimaraes play host to Arouca in round 18 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday.

Having lost each of their last three meetings between the two teams, the Arouquenses will journey to the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques looking to get one over the home side and secure back-to-back victories for the first time since last April.

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-1 Arouca

With disappointment from their surprise cup exit lingering in the air, Vitoria de Guimaraes will be looking to retire some pride this weekend and snap their five-game winless run in the league.

Off the back of a solid display against Boavista, we expect Arouca to put up a fight at the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques, but we fancy Freire's side to prove tough to crack in front of their home supporters.

> Primeira Liga Preview: Guimaraes vs Arouca