Sports Mole previews Thursday's Taca de Portugal clash between Rio Ave and Belenenses, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Belenenses travel to Rio Ave in the Taca de Portugal last 16 looking to find some form at a time when they sit at the bottom of the Primeira Liga standings.

Meanwhile, in their first campaign back in the second tier, Rio Ave currently occupy third position, not helped by a recent drop-off in results.

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Match preview

Despite Belenenses finishing an extremely respectable 10th position in Portugal's top flight last season, there would have been concern at only scoring 25 goals from 34 matches.

A change was made in October with Filipe Candido being appointed as the club's new boss, but Belenenses have failed to score in five of his seven games in charge.

While a 5-3 victory over Caldas in this competition went against the grain, three matches have come and gone without finding the back of the net.

To their credit, Belenenses have returned from a coronavirus outbreak to only lose 1-0 against Estoril and Braga, but they require something extra if they are to get out of trouble during the second half of the season.

Just two goals have been scored in their seven away outings this campaign, and it is another statistic which will fill Rio Ave with confidence ahead of the game at Estadio dos Arcos.

Vilacondenses have gone from European participants to a second-tier club within the space of a year, but they find themselves in the hunt for an immediate return.

With leaders Benfica II unable to earn promotion, Rio Ave technically sit two points off top spot at this stage having won eight of their 15 Segunda Liga games.

However, Rio Ave have lost three of their most recent six encounters at that level, a two-match losing streak being ended at the weekend with a 1-0 win over promotion rivals Casa Pia.

After thrashing Boavista earlier in the tournament, Luis Freire's team edged out Olhanense by a 2-1 scoreline in the last 32.

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Team News

After recording a strong win with a clean sheet at the weekend, Freire may be prepared to select the same Rio Ave XI.

Should Freire wish to freshen up his team in the final third, Joao Graca and Ukra will be considered for recalls.

With Primeira Liga survival being a priority over this competition, Candido will almost certainly make alterations to his Belenenses starting lineup.

The versatile Chima Akas is in line to be used in some capacity, most likely at left wing-back.

Danny Henriques may replace veteran Yohan Tavares in the middle of the backline, while Braima and Tomas Castro are also both pushing for a rare start.

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:
Jhonatan; Santos, Savio, Amaral, Pantalon, Costinha, Gomes, Guga, Joca, Yakubu, Mendes

Belenenses possible starting lineup:
Felipe; Calila, Carraca, Henrique, Ribeiro, Akas; Castro, Cafu, Lukovic; Nuno, Sousa

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We say: Rio Ave 0-1 Belenenses

Rio Ave will naturally feel that they have every chance of pulling off a small upset on Thursday night. However, Belenenses' defensive capabilities could stand them in good stead, and we are backing a narrow win for the visitors. body check tags ::

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