Sporting Braga vs Santa Clara tips

Braga lost their opening clash at champions Porto, but they are favourites to return to winning ways against Santa Clara this weekend. The visitors lost at three of the top four last term, but could their good start propel them to do better this time around?

The visitors have scored at least twice in each of their last four Primeira Liga games. They won their opener 2-0 against Maritimo, a win which came on neutral soil as the Azores-based hosts can’t have teams flying in and out to their island home this season.

It was a similar story when the pair met back in June. Santa Clara won that game 3-2, which has us expecting goals this time around. The sides met in a pre-season friendly clash earlier this month, which Braga won 3-1. When you combine all that with the fact that the hosts have seen both teams score in four of their last five in the league, BTTS seems like the best way to go here. Given that friendly result and the fact that Santa Clara lost six of eight meetings with the top four, a home win is my prediction.

Braga have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 matches.
Santa Clara have scored 9 goals in their last 4 matches.
The Azores club could be a tough nut to crack.

Braga played two preseason friendlies, a 2-1 defeat against Benfica and 2-2 draw against Real Valladolid.

Carlos Carvalhal’s side started the new Primeira Liga with a trip to Porto. André Castro gave them the lead but Porto took a 2-1 lead and made it 3-1 after Raúl Silva was sent off.

Braga will be looking to make amends for a 3-1 loss to Porto when they take on Santa Clara in their first home game of the season. Os Arcebispos failed to impress in the opening match of the season, and, to make things even worse for the team, experienced defender Silva was sent off due to unsportsmanlike conduct. Braga, though, are a real force to be reckoned with at home, and, as a result, bookies see them as favourites to win Friday’s football match.

Portuguese attacker Rui Fonte is likely to miss the match with injury, while aforementioned defender Silva is definitely out of contention through suspension. Santa Clara, on the other hand, kicked off the new Primeira Liga campaign with a 2-0 win over Maritimo, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry in their first away match of the season.

Think both will score. Braga will win.

Santa Clara have scored at least twice in each of their last four league games

Braga won 3-1 in a friendly meeting between the two this month

The hosts have seen both teams score in four of their last five in the league

With such a confident play, Braga looks like a favorite. My prediction is a confident victory for Braga.

Braga centre-back Raúl Silva is suspended and likely to be replaced by Vitor Tormena. Wingers Nicolas Gaitán and Wenderson Galeno are injured.

Striker Paulinho is struggling with myalgia and could be replaced by Abel Ruiz. Left-back Nuno Sequeira was injured in Porto and is doubtful.


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