Match

Santa Clara vs Rio Ave: prediction and stats

Primeira LigaRegular Season - 5Kick-off on September 6, 2026 at 03:00 PM (UTC)Estádio de São Miguel, Ponta Delgada, Ilha de São Miguel, Açores

Santa ClaraRio Ave

The Footlab model makes Santa Clara the favourite at 61%, against 24% for a draw and 14% for Rio Ave. The most likely score is 1-0.

This model is measured at 53.9% 1X2 accuracy on a temporal hold-out, against 33.3% for random guessing. See the measured accuracy

Probabilities recomputed on Aug 22, 2026 — the full match card is recomputed continuously until kick-off.

Who will win Santa Clara vs Rio Ave?

A very open match: only 79 Elo points separate Santa Clara (2,057) and Rio Ave (1,978).

Santa Clara win61 %
Draw24 %
Rio Ave win14 %

What is the recent form of both teams?

Over their last 15 matches in all competitions, Santa Clara have 8 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats; Rio Ave have 6, 4 and 5.

The competition is shown for every match: in pre-season, several of these games are friendlies.

Santa Clara
DateOpponentScoreCompetition
Aug 15, 2026Academico Viseu(away)1-0Primeira Liga
Aug 10, 2026Nacional(home)2-2Primeira Liga
Jul 25, 2026Arouca(home)3-0Friendlies Clubs
Jul 22, 2026Felgueiras 1932(home)1-1Friendlies Clubs
Jul 22, 2026Moreirense(home)2-1Friendlies Clubs
Rio Ave
DateOpponentScoreCompetition
Aug 15, 2026FC Porto(home)0-2Primeira Liga
Aug 9, 2026GIL Vicente(away)0-1Primeira Liga
Aug 1, 2026Tondela(home)3-1Friendlies Clubs
Jul 19, 2026Al-Ahli Jeddah(home)2-2Friendlies Clubs
Jul 15, 2026Portimonense(away)3-0Friendlies Clubs

What does the head-to-head say?

Across the last 6 meetings: 2 Santa Clara win(s), 2 draw(s), 2 Rio Ave win(s).

DateScoreCompetition
Apr 11, 2026Santa Clara 0-2 Rio AvePrimeira Liga
Nov 30, 2025Rio Ave 1-1 Santa ClaraPrimeira Liga
Apr 18, 2025Rio Ave 1-1 Santa ClaraPrimeira Liga
Dec 7, 2024Santa Clara 1-0 Rio AvePrimeira Liga
Jul 27, 2024Rio Ave 1-2 Santa ClaraFriendlies Clubs
Mar 17, 2023Santa Clara 0-2 Rio AvePrimeira Liga

Last archived meeting: Santa Clara vs Rio Ave on Apr 11, 2026

How many goals should we expect?

Santa Clara score 1.6 and concede 0.9 goals per match over their last 15; Rio Ave score 1.3 and concede 1.3. The model gives a 46% probability of over 2.5 goals and 44% for both teams to score.

ClubGoals scored / matchGoals conceded / matchClean sheetsBoth teams scoredOver 2.5 goals
Santa Clara1.60.976/157/15
Rio Ave1.31.348/158/15

Over the last 15 matches in all competitions.

Where do both teams sit in the table?

Santa Clara sit 6th in Primeira Liga (4 points from 2 matches) and Rio Ave sit 17th (0 points from 2 matches).

2026-27 standings
#ClubPWDLGFGAPts
6Santa Clara2110324
17Rio Ave2002030

Verdict, probable XI and verified absences

The full match card recomputes this prediction continuously until kick-off: multi-market verdict, player-by-player probable XI and web-verified absences.

Open the full match card in the app

No odds, no affiliation: the method is published and the accuracy is measured.

How does Footlab compute this prediction?

The model combines both teams' Elo ratings (anchored by competition pool), their recent form weighted by opponent strength, home advantage and a Poisson matrix for scorelines. Its accuracy is measured continuously on the predictions actually published. Methodology and measured accuracy

Frequently asked questions

Who is the favourite for Santa Clara vs Rio Ave?
The Footlab model makes Santa Clara the favourite at 61%, against 24% for a draw and 14% for Rio Ave.
Where and when is Santa Clara vs Rio Ave played?
Santa Clara vs Rio Ave is played on September 6, 2026 at 03:00 PM (UTC) at Estádio de São Miguel, in the Primeira Liga.
Will there be over 2.5 goals?
The Footlab model gives a 46% probability of at least three goals in this match.
How reliable is this prediction?
The Footlab model is measured at 53.9% correct 1X2 outcomes on a temporal hold-out, against 33.3% for random guessing. The breakdown by competition and Elo gap is published on the accuracy page.

Other matches in the same round

Next match: Santa Clara and Rio Ave

Ready to know everything about football?