The new Liga Portugal season kicks off with a compelling clash at the Estádio da Luz as Benfica hosts Rio Ave. This matchday 1 fixture pits two teams with different ambitions against each other. Benfica, the reigning champions, will be looking to start their title defense with a commanding victory. In contrast, newly-promoted Rio Ave will be determined to make a statement and prove they belong in the top flight.
Benfica, under the guidance of manager Roger Schmidt, has had a mixed pre-season, with their most recent friendly ending in a 1-0 defeat. The home side will be looking to use their home advantage to get their season back on track. This match is a crucial opportunity for them to demonstrate their Liga Portugal credentials in front of their passionate supporters. Rio Ave, on the other hand, comes into the game with a reputation for playing a disciplined and organized style of football. They will be confident coming into this match and will be looking to score a crucial away goal to give them an advantage for the second leg. This clash promises to be a strategic battle with a high level of intensity, as both clubs will be keen to get a win and climb the table.
Match Details
Competition: Liga Portugal
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025
Kick-off Time: 2:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM BST / 8:00 PM CEST
Referee: João Pinheiro
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
The historical head-to-head record between Benfica and Rio Ave shows a clear dominance for the home side. In their last 10 encounters, Benfica has won eight, with one victory for Rio Ave and one draw. The most recent league meeting was a convincing 4-1 home victory for Benfica in March 2025. This historical dominance, combined with Benfica’s title-winning form, suggests a difficult task ahead for Rio Ave, but they will be buoyed by a strong defensive performance in their last league match.
Benfica:
Benfica comes into this match after a strong pre-season, with two wins and one loss in their last five matches. The team has shown great resilience in their last outing and will be looking to carry that fighting spirit into this game, especially at home. Key players for Benfica include forward Casper Tengstedt and midfielder João Mário, who has been in excellent form. Their defense has been a concern, but they will need to address those issues to secure a victory.
August 2, 2025: Benfica 2–1 FC Porto (Super Cup)
July 30, 2025: Benfica 1–0 Sporting CP (Super Cup)
July 26, 2025: Benfica 1–1 Club Brugge (Club Friendly)
Rio Ave:
Rio Ave enters the match with their own positive momentum, having secured two wins and one loss in their last five games. The visiting side has a reputation for playing a disciplined and organized style of football, which could pose a significant challenge for the Benfica attack. They will be confident coming into this match and will be looking to score a crucial away goal to give them an advantage for the second leg. Key players for Rio Ave include striker Ukra and midfielder João Graça, who has been a consistent goalscorer. They have also been hit with a number of injuries to key players, which may affect their performance.
August 7, 2025: Rio Ave 0–4 Al Nassr (Club Friendly)
July 30, 2025: Rio Ave 2–0 Moreirense (Club Friendly)
July 26, 2025: Rio Ave 2–1 Gil Vicente (Liga Portugal)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
This match is expected to be a fascinating contest between a well-organized and confident Benfica side and a determined Rio Ave. Benfica will likely seek to establish a high tempo from the start, utilizing their home advantage and talented squad to control possession and create scoring opportunities. Rio Ave will likely be organized and compact, looking to frustrate Benfica and hit them on the counter-attack. The battle in midfield will be crucial, with both teams looking to win the ball and dictate the tempo. The match is poised to be an open and exciting affair with a high potential for goals.
How to Watch Benfica vs. Rio Ave on TV, Live Stream
CountryTV/Live StreamUnited KingdomSky Sports, Premier Sports, Sky Sports App, NowTVUnited StatesESPN+, ESPN App, CBS Sports NetworkGermanyDAZN, OneFootballCanadaDAZN, FuboTV
In the United Kingdom, this match may be available to watch and stream online live through Sky Sports and the Sky Sports App. In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and the ESPN App. For other regions, broadcasting information is not yet confirmed. It is also common for some clubs to provide live streams on their official websites or YouTube channels, so it is worth checking those sources.
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