Portuguese Liga Schedule: Porto vs Rio Ave Preview

Porto will play host to Rio Ave on Monday at the Estadio do Dragao for their new Primeira Liga fixture.

On the back of a 2-0 victory over Ricardo Soares' Gil Vicente yesterday in the Taca de Portugal quarter-final, Porto are joining this game. Mexican international Jesus Manuel Corona and Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi's goals secured Porto's win.

On the other hand, Rio Ave lost 2-1 in the Primeira Liga last Monday to Daniel Ramos' Santa Clara. The Santa Clara contract was sealed by goals from Brazilian attacker Carlos and Japanese international Hidemasa Morita. Young Japanese forward Ryotaro Meshino scored the consolation goal for Rio Ave.

Porto has a distinct edge in 29 head-to-head matches between the two groups. They've won 24 games and have drawn five.

Last year in the Primeira Liga, the two clubs last played each other, ending 1-1. In the first half of the year, Congolese defender Chancel Mbemba put Porto ahead, but Iran's international Mehdi Taremi, now at Porto, managed to equalize for Rio Ave.

In the league table, Porto is 2nd, four points behind league leaders Sporting CP. Since joining the club, Iranian attacker Mehdi Taremi, formerly of Rio Ave, has done well, while Moussa Marega and Sergio Oliveira could also prove crucial.

On the other hand, Rio Ave is 12th in the league table and has won just one of their last five games. Young Japanese attacker Ryotaro Meshino has scored three goals in the league so far, on loan from Manchester City.

Porto is in good form and they should be expected to win against Rio Ave in this match.