Braga vs FC Porto Prediction: One Miscalculation From Either Side Could Trigger An End To Their Title Aspirations

Braga will host FC Porto in the 25th round of the Primeira Liga at the Braga Municipal.

Will FC Porto be able to take all three points after failing to win any of their previous six meetings at this venue?

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Braga vs FC Porto, team news, probable lineups, match facts and up to date betting odds for you to consider!

Braga

Form: WWLWW

Braga enters this contest fresh off a routine 4:0 road victory over FC Vizela. In that game, Al-Musrati scored the game's first goal in the 43rd minute. In the second half, Iuri Medeiros made sure that his team was two goals ahead, but it wasn't until he scored his second goal 16 minutes later that the game was decided. Ricardo Horta's goal in the 75th minute was the game's final blow, ending any hopes their opponent may have had of catching up to them.

They are currently on a two-match winning streak and have only suffered one loss in their last five games, a 2:1 away defeat to Vitoria Guimaraes. This adds up to four victories and 12 points, so it goes without saying that they have been in good form. They have exceeded expectations in the Primeira Liga.

After losing their first two home games to Chaves (1:0) and (1:0), Os Arcebispos bounced back with a 3:0 victory over the table-toppers Benfica. From that point on, they fully controlled their own territory and are currently on a five-match winning streak at home. During that time, they established themselves as a defensive magnate, keeping four clean sheets.

They are currently in third place with 55 points and face a two point deficit in their pursuit of second place.

Team News

Braga will still be without Paulo Oliveira and Tormena due to injury, but Artur Jorge has a full roster of healthy players to choose from ahead of this match.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-4-2

Matheus; Gomez, Saatci, Niakate, Sequeira; Medeiros, A. Horta, Al-Musrati, Bruma; R. Horta, Ruiz

FC Porto

Form: WWLWW

The Dragões, on the other hand, had their run in the UEFA Champions League come to an end this past week against Inter Milan in their second leg of the round of 16. They settled for a less desirable result, a scoreless draw automatically losing 1:0 on aggregate making it the eighth time that they've been eliminated from this stage of the competition.

While Sergio Conceicao may have been pleased with his team's performance in that game because they battled valiantly to overturn the decision from the beginning to the end, he will now direct his team's full focus to the Taca de Portugal and the Primeira Liga, where they have performed better.

They won 3:2 at home against Estoril Praia in their most recent Primeira Liga match, extending their winning streak to two games.

Their performance has been steady over the course of their last five games, as they have only suffered one setback and won four contests to earn 12 points.

While their attempt to overtake first place is hampered by an 8 point deficit, they are currently ranked second and have maintained a 2 point lead over third-place Braga.

Team News

FC Porto will be without their usual trio of Joao Marcelo, Francisco Meixedo, and Joao Mario due to injury, but Sergio Conceicao has no new injury concerns ahead of this match as he has a fully fit roster to choose from.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-4-2

Costa; Pepe, Cardoso, Marcano, Wendell; Otavio, Grujic, Uribe, Galeno; Taremi, Evanilson

Match Facts

• Braga has yet to lose a home game against FC Porto in their last six meetings.
• In the Primeira Liga, FC Porto has only lost one of their last five matches.
• In their last five away games in the Primeira Liga, FC Porto has kept three clean sheets.
• When playing at home, Braga averages 2.09 goals per game, while FC Porto averages 1.67 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 52 meetings, Braga has won 11 times, FC Porto has won 29 times, and there have been 12 draws, with FC Porto winning by a goal difference of 88-48.

Expert Betting Tips

Now that winning the Champions League is out of the question, FC Porto is aware that they cannot afford to lose any more ground in their fight to defend their Primeira Liga title as doing so will put an end to their title hopes.

Braga, on the other hand, also have the same objective as Conceicao's team in this matchup as they won't want to imagine themselves dropping points here as they have their sights set on the title. Despite coming up against a team that has been formidable recently, a title they too come bearing in this matchup, they'll want to bank on their home form that has seen them without a loss in their last 6 meetings against FC Porto to record a resounding result.

Given the significant stakes involved in this matchup, there is no doubt that both sides will act strategically in order to avoid suffering a damaging defeat, and given the level of talent they both bring to the table, a thrilling contest is undoubtedly on the cards. For a team that scored four goals against FC Vizela just last week, Braga shouldn't have any trouble penetrating FC Porto's porous defense; as a result, it should be enough for both teams to score.

• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.70
• Goals - Over 2.5 for 1.87
• Handicap 2 (0) for 1.64