Sporting CP vs Braga Prediction: The Leões Dominance Will Pay Dividends This Time And Gyökeres Will Be There To See It Through

Sporting CP will welcome Braga to the Estádio José Alvalade in the 20th round of the Primeira Liga.

Sporting CP has justified their position as a formidable team in the Primeira Liga and enters this clash brimming with confidence following their domestic cup win over Leiria. They will be keen on building up on that momentum to extend their winning run across all competitions to three matches.

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

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Sporting CP

Form: WWWWW

Another stumning performance from Viktor Gyökeres, where he bagged a brace, saw him lead his side to a convincing 3-0 win over second-tier U.D. Leiria in the quarterfinals of the Taça de Portugal. This has seen Sporting CP book their spot in a two-legged semi-final.

An altercation between rival fan groups, causing six injuries outside the Municipal Stadium Famalicão, resulted in the postponement of the scheduled match between Famalicao and Sporting CP. This incident contributed to Sporting CP losing their hold on first place in the standings to Benfica. However, Ruben Amorim still remains optimistic about reclaiming their position with a game in hand. Boasting a six-match winning streak in the league, confidence is high, and the Lions will fancy their chances of picking up their seventh consecutive win.

Having accumulated 49 points in 19 matches, Sporting CP sits in second place in the Primeira Liga standings, four points ahead of third-placed FC Porto and two points behind first-placed Benfica.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Adan; Quaresma, Coates, Inacio, Esgaio; Hjulmand, Goncalves, Santos; Trincao, Paulinho, Gyokeres

Braga

Form: WDWLD

Following an unjustified 1-1 draw against Chaves at home, Os Arsenalistas managed to reignite their confidence by securing a 1-0 win over Moreirense at home courtesy of an Abel Ruiz goal in the opening eight minutes.

With this win, Artur Jorge's wards halted a three-match winless run at home while extending their unbeaten run across all competitions to five games (W4 D1) since a three-match winless run (L2 D1). Away from home, they have been effective travelers, securing positive results that have seen them notch five wins out of their last seven matches, along with one draw and one loss.

Having accumulated 40 points in 20 matches, nothing much has seemed to change in terms of positioning as Braga sit in fourth place in the Primeira Liga standings, one point ahead of fifth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes and eleven points adrift of their opponents in this impending encounter, who occupy the top spot.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Lima; Gomez, Fonte, Oliveira, Borja; Moutinho, Zalazar; Carvalho, Horta, Djalo; Ruiz

Match Facts

• Sporting CP have won ten of their last eleven matches across all competitions.
• Braga have won five of their last seven away matches in the Primeira Liga.
• Sporting CP averages 3.2 goals per game when playing at home, and Braga averages 2.4 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 53 meetings, Sporting CP have won 32 times, Braga have won 14 times, and there have been 7 draws, with the goal difference being 94-54 in favor of Sporting CP.

Expert Betting Tips

Sporting CP has an opportunity to seek retribution against Braga, the team that eliminated them from the Taça da Liga semi-final. Their victory in this match, especially at home, where they are currently enjoying a ten-match winning streak, is unquestionable, which explains why they are favorites with bookmakers to secure maximum points.

However, our focus in this match shines on the talisman Viktor Gyökeres, who has been in red-hot form in the past few weeks. The 25-year-old is the current top goal scorer in the Primeira Liga this season with 15 goals in 18 matches, and we expect to see his name on the scoresheet considering he has found the back of the net in three of the last four matches across all competitions, netting six goals in the process.

• Anytime Goalscorer - Viktor Gyökeres for 1.90
• Total - Over 3 for 1.83
• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.66