How and Where to Watch: Rio Ave vs. Sporting CP live on beIN SPORTS

Sporting CP looks to move to the top of the Liga Portugal standings with a win at Rio Ave

Last season, FC Porto, Sporting CP and Benfica lost just four games between them in a total of 102 matches in Liga Portugal. Benfica went completely unbeaten but still only finished third.

This shows that the margins between victory and defeat in the title race in Portugal are thin, meaning that every match is a must-win game for the league's three big hitters.

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Sporting CP is going into Friday's clash at Rio Ave on beIN SPORTS, knowing that only three points is enough. Last season's league runners-up had a solid start to the new campaign with two wins and a draw along with eight goals scored. However, Sporting CP is already behind a Porto side that is top of the standings with a 100% record in three games.

Sporting CP is travelling to the Estádio dos Arcos, just north of Porto on Portugal's east coast and will be without Greek striker, Fotis Ioannidis who is sidelined with a back injury. Colombia's Luis Suárez is set to lead the line, having been the division's top scorer last season with 32 goals. Rodrigo Salazar is also set to continue a fine start to the season.

Rio Ave is currently in tenth place, having picked up the team's first win last week at Estoril. However, Rio Ave will be boosted by the fact that Sporting CP has yet to keep a clean sheet in its previous three league games.

Nevertheless, the visitors will be confident of finishing Friday at the top of the standings and hoping for a rare slip up from Porto the following day.