SL Benfica are favored to win against Rio Ave FC, as they are traditional title contenders in the Primeira Liga and currently sit in the top three of the 2025-26 table with a strong goal difference and away form. Early market odds from major bookmakers price Benfica around 1.40 to win, Rio Ave near 7.50, and the draw close to 4.50, reflecting clear confidence in the visitors with DexWin - Best Odds on Your Favourite Sports.

The match between Rio Ave FC and SL Benfica is scheduled to start at 8:30 PM local time on January 17, 2026, which corresponds to 8:30 PM WET (UTC+0). Fans following from Central Europe can tune in at 9:30 PM CET.

The game will be played at Estádio do Rio Ave FC, commonly known as Estádio dos Arcos, in Vila do Conde, Portugal, a coastal city in the Porto district. The stadium typically holds just over 12,000 spectators, features a natural grass surface, and offers a tight, atmospheric setting that often benefits the home side.

Given Benfica’s superior squad depth, current top-three league position, and significantly better attacking numbers so far this season, the most likely outcome is an away win, with a fair value estimate around 1.40–1.45 on the Benfica moneyline. Rio Ave’s stronger home performances suggest some upset potential, but the implied probability from current prices gives Benfica roughly a 68–70% chance of victory, the draw around 22%, and Rio Ave under 15%.

In recent head-to-head meetings over the past five league seasons, SL Benfica have dominated Rio Ave FC, winning the majority of matches with only the occasional draw and very few Rio Ave victories. Across their last 10 Primeira Liga clashes, Benfica have averaged around two goals per game against Rio Ave, who typically struggle to create many high-quality chances in this fixture.