Braga vs Sporting CP Prediction: Os Arsenalistas Are Not One To Be Intimidated!

Sporting CP makes the trip to the Estádio Municipal de Braga to lock horns with Braga in the fourth round of the Primeira Liga.

In the previous season, the Leões recorded two consecutive 5-0 victories over Braga at home, both in the Taca de Liga and the Primeira Liga. Will they be able to replicate the same success once again as they seek to extend their winning streak in the league to four matches?

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Braga vs. Sporting CP, probable lineups, match facts and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Braga

Braga managed to book their place in the draw for the Champions League group stages for the first time in 11 years as an 83rd-minute Bruma goal saw them secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Panathinaikos on Marousi soil in the second leg of the Champions League play-off to secure a 3-1 aggregate success. This comes after their narrow 2-1 victory in the first leg at home.

Os Arsenalistas were denied the dream start to the 2023–24 Primeira Liga campaign and a maiden home victory as they lost 2-1 to Famalicao. However,  their response after that on the second match day was exceptional as they saw off the threat of ten-man Chaves away from home, winning 4-2 courtesy of goals from Bruma, Ricardo Horta, Simon Banza, and Pizzi.

Despite a season opener setback, Artur Jorge's troupes have been in impressive form on either side of European competition, as they have suffered just one loss from their six matches while recording five wins. And it's also worth mentioning that they are currently on a four-match winning streak.

They currently occupy 13th place with 3 points to their name, two points ahead of the relegation zone and six points adrift of first place, which is occupied by Vitoria de Guimarães.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

M. Magalhaes; A. Marin, S. Niakate, J. Fonte, V. Gomez; A. Horta, R. Horta, V. Carvalho; A. Dias Fernandes, A. Ruiz, Bruma

Sporting CP

Unlike their opponents in this impending clash, their route to booking their place in the Europa League group stages was a straightforward assignment for them thanks to their 4th place finish with 74 points in the previous season, which is why they have not been involved in any preliminary rounds or play-off matches since the start of the 2023–24 Primeira Liga season.

Their laudable success comes from their performance in the league, where they have been a sight for sore eyes so far, winning their first three matches. In the season opener, they defeated Vizela 3-2 at home, which later followed a 2-1 win over Casa Pia away from home. Their most recent match saw them secure their second consecutive home win as they edged out Famalicao 1-0.

Besides a three-match winning streak in the league, the Leões have won two consecutive matches against Braga, with both those wins coming at home, and they remain unbeaten in three of their last away matches, recording two wins and a solitary 3-3 draw. That is enough to see them fueled with a burning desire to excel even further as they seek to make it four wins in a row in the league.

They currently occupy 3rd place with 9 points, level with Vitoria de Guimarães in first place and FC Porto in second place, while they are a distant star ahead of their opponents in this impending clash by six points.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-3

A. Adan; O. Diomande, S. Coates, G. Inacio; R. Esgaio, H. Morita, M. Hjulmand, N. Santos; P. Goncalves, V. Gyokeres, Paulinho

Match Facts

• Braga have won just one of their last nine matches against Sporting CP.
• Sporting CP have won three of their last six away matches against Braga.
• Braga averages 1.9 goals per game when playing at home, and Sporting CP averages 2.2 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 51 meetings, Braga have won 13 times, Sporting CP have won 32 times, and there have been 6 draws, with the goal difference being 93-52 in favor of Sporting CP.

Expert Betting Tips

With a surge of momentum circulating in their camp, Braga will surely want to build on that to record their third win of the season, though they know that this won't be an easy feat as they take on a side that has gotten the better of them in past meetings. Os Arsenalistas have played two of their last six matches at home when playing against Sporting CP, and they'll be out to break that poor run at the Estádio Municipal de Braga by claiming a hard-fought victory.

Sporting CP, who come into this clash having rested for seven days, will be out to use that to their advantage to record their third consecutive victory over Artur Jorge's troupes, and their laudable run in the Primeira Liga suggests that the three points are theirs for the taking.

In their last six meetings, goals have been seen at both ends of the pitch in four of those matches, and we anticipate such a trend to continue between two sides brimming with confidence.

• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.61
• Draw No Bet - Braga for 2.17
• Goals - Over 2.5 for 1.72