The Primeira Liga continues as AVS hosts Nacional at Estádio do CD das Aves on December 21, 2025. Despite being relegation-threatened, AVS will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and disrupt Nacional’s campaign. This encounter not only highlights the battle for survival for AVS, but also presents Nacional with a valuable chance to gain much-needed distance from the bottom of the table. A notable subplot is AVS’s search for their first home win, contrasting Nacional’s effort to build consistency after a frustrating run.
For AVS, forward Babatunde Jimoh Akinsola’s movement and recent form provide their best hope in breaking a goal drought, while Nacional’s talisman Jesús Ramírez has been an ever-present threat, netting three goals in his last four league appearances. These two attacking outlets will inevitably shape the contest, with both teams likely to count on individual inspiration to tip the scales.
One “hot stat” to note: AVS have conceded a staggering 37 goals in 14 matches, the worst defensive record in the division, underscoring the pressure on their back line and goalkeepers.
| 🏆 Tournament: | Primeira Liga 2025/26 (Regular Season, Portugal) |
| 🏟 Venue: | Estádio do CD das Aves, Vila das Aves |
| 🗓️ Date: | 21.12.2025 |
| ⏰ Time: | 17:30 CEST |
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AVS vs Nacional prediction
With Nacional the clear bookies’ favorite (win probability at 42% compared to AVS’s 29%), the visitors have both the form edge and greater attacking impetus. AVS, despite a morale-boosting win against Vitoria Guimaraes, have struggled mightily against every other opponent, most notably suffering a 0-6 loss to Sporting CP and possessing the league’s weakest attack and defense. Nacional’s Jesús Ramírez has found a scoring groove, aided by Paulo Henrique’s creativity, offering an efficient offensive route.
AVS’s style, under João Pedro Sousa, has produced a high number of fouls (39 in last five) and yellow cards (16). Their aggressive approach may further destabilize an already fragile defense, especially facing the pace and movement of Ramírez. Nacional, while somewhat more balanced, also tend to draw fouls (40 in last five), signaling a match that could see frequent set-piece opportunities. Both teams average similar pass accuracy (AVS 80.2%, Nacional 75%), but Nacional have shown more attacking intent, with more goals (6 vs 2 in last five) and fewer defensive errors.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Draw No Bet: Nacional |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Under 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | No |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Under 9.5 |
Team Analysis
AVS: Their recent home victory against Vitoria Guimaraes (1-0) offers a brief glimpse of hope. In this match, they demonstrated defensive resilience and capitalized on their limited chances. However, those moments have been rare; their previous outing saw a 0-6 hammering by Sporting CP, exposing AVS’s inability to cope with top-tier attacking units. Most notably, their defensive structure collapsed under pressure, while their midfield struggled to retain possession. Over the last five matches, AVS have only scored twice, underlining the need for inspiration up front.
Nacional: Entering this clash off a solid 3-1 win over Tondela, Nacional displayed improved attacking sharpness with Ramírez leading the line confidently. However, defensive lapses remain a concern; conceding four against Braga and two against Benfica in previous rounds illustrate their vulnerability when facing technical teams. Their 0-1 home defeat to Alverca highlighted the need for more consistency. Still, across the past five games, Nacional have found the net six times, showing a clear offensive edge in comparison to their rivals.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | AVS | Nacional |
|---|---|---|
| Total shots | 17 | 23 |
| Free kicks | 20 | 21 |
| Corner kicks | 6 | 9 |
| Total fouls | 18 | 22 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 77 | 74 |
| Interceptions | 13 | 14 |
| Offsides | 4 | 5 |
🚨Read our full AVS vs Nacional stats for more analysis.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Nacional the favourite
- Moneyline AVS 3.30 | Nacional 2.20
- Draw 3.30
- Over/Under Over 2.5 2.11 | Under 2.5 1.69
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 2.01 | No 1.81
Nacional enter as favorites, rightfully reflected in the odds and their superior results. AVS’s lack of firepower and defensive frailties tilt expectations towards the visitors. The market’s stance on low total goals is justified given AVS’s meager attacking return and both teams’ often-cautious approach against direct rivals. BTTS ‘No’ offers value—AVS have failed to score in two of their last three, while Nacional sometimes struggle to break down deep blocks.
You can find all our predictions for today’s games on our football betting tips page.
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Possible Starting Lineups
AVS possible starting eleven

- GK: João Pedro Oliveira Gonçalves
- DF: Kiki, Cristian Castro, Carlos Ponck, Diogo Spencer
- MF: Gustavo Assunção, Tiago Galletto, Angel Algobia, Pedro Lima Barros
- FW: Babatunde Jimoh Akinsola, Oscar Andres Perea Abonce
AVS are likely to stick with their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. João Gonçalves in goal will be tested by Nacional’s direct play. Kiki and Carlos Ponck will need to shore up a leaky defense, while Gustavo Assunção brings industry to midfield. Up front, Akinsola holds the key—his movement can trouble Nacional if supply lines function. Oscar Perea may offer a spark from wide areas.
Nacional possible starting eleven

- GK: Kaique Pereira Azarias
- DF: José Vitor Lima Cardoso, Léo Santos, Lenny Vallier, Francisco Adriano Baptista Goncalves
- MF: Matheus dos Santos Dias, Igor Matheus Liziero Pereira, Chiheb Labidi
- FW: Paulo Henrique Pereira da Silva, Jesús Ramírez, Motez Nourani
Nacional will also likely employ a 4-2-3-1 setup, with Kaique Pereira in goal. Their backline has shown physicality but can be vulnerable to quick counters. In midfield, Matheus Dias provides defensive protection, while Chiheb Labidi and Paulo Henrique offer ball progression; Ramírez remains the main threat up front. His poacher instincts and recent form make him a prime candidate to decide the contest.
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AVS. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
My pick for this match is Draw No Bet: Nacional. AVS are desperate, but their attacking and defensive data reveal a side bereft of solutions. Nacional, despite lapses, carry more consistent goal threats and benefit from recent confidence after breaking their losing streak. Expect a scrappy contest, possibly settled by a moment of quality from Jesús Ramírez or a defensive error. A low-scoring encounter with a slight edge for the visitors is the most logical outcome based on all available metrics.
