Betting tips for Sporting vs Rio Ave - 18.03.2018

Porto's unexpected outburst in Paços de Ferreira has rekindled Sporting's hope for the national title race. A day after seeing the distance increase to eight points due to the defeat in the "classic" disputed in the stadium of the Dragon, the difference returned to fall to five points. This Sunday, the pupils of Jorge Jesus receive Rio Ave.

Sporting do not "throw the towel on the floor" in the fight for the title of national champion. After having watched the defeat of Porto, the leonine team beat Chaves by two goals to one with two goals from the "usual suspect": Bas Dost, a Dutch forward who has recovered from injury.

The involvement in the Europa League 2017/18 has provided a well-filled schedule for Sporting that still last Thursday was forced to make "extra hours" in the trip to the Czech Republic to be able to continue in the race. In front of Viktoria Plzen, the "lions" had to go to prolongation after a defeat by two balls to zero in the regulation time. Given the proximity between games, the team should feel some fatigue as the clock progresses in this challenge with Rio Ave, important therefore try to solve the matter early.

With more or less difficulty, Sporting have dominated in Alvalade. He has won the last seven games and has not conceded a goal in this sequence.

Daniel Podence and Seydou Doumbia (injured) are out, but Bruno Fernandes and Acuña return after having completed suspensions on the final day. The inclusion of the Portuguese midfielder will add a lot to the leonine team.


 Rio Ave wants to surprise Alvalade and, more than that, he intends that on Sunday night he will once again demonstrate the quality of his football in one of the main stages of Portuguese football. It is unanimous that Vilacondenses present one of the most interesting proposals of game of the League NOS 2017/18 and this has been reflected in classificatory terms, appearing in the 5º position of the table with 40 points - still still estranged from the fight for European access, as Braga already have 18 points.

In the last weekend, the formation of the north of the country managed to put an end to a negative series by winning the Feirense at Arcos stadium by two balls to one. In the latest commitment to one of the "big three," Rio Ave lost at the dragon stadium for five balls to zero.

The team trained by Miguel Cardoso will have a handicap difficult to counter in this visit to Alvalade, since he will not be able to count on the services of Francisco Geraldes, an average who is in Vila do Conde on loan from the "lions", a common situation to Gelson Dala. Captain Tarantini is also prevented from going to play, absences that weaken the team "rioavista".


Sporting have everything to add another victory in this journey 27 of Liga NOS 2017/18.

Sporting vs Rio Ave Prediction: 1/1 1.50

Sporting vs Rio Ave   Betting Tip: Over  3.5 Goals @ 1.80

Sporting vs Rio Ave  Score Recommendations: 3-1 10.00