Benfica Lisbon vs SC Braga Prediction & Betting Tips - Liga Portugal

Prediction published on 25/04/2024, 13:00  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 27/04/2024 at 05:00 in Liga Portugal Prediction

Sporting Braga will have their final shot at a place in the Champions League qualifiers when they visit Benfica on Saturday. Heading into this game, hosts Benfica are second with 73 points, 11 ahead of fourth placed Braga. Benfica’s title hopes are fading by the week but their consolation will be to secure the Champions League qualification spot. Heading into this encounter, Benfica are seven points behind leaders Sporting. Their elimination from the Europa League means this is their only route to the Champions League. Beating Braga will lock out both third placed Porto and their visitors from second position. AS Aguias recovered from Europa League elimination with a 3-1 away win at Farense last time out. However, the goal they conceded in that game meant they have just one clean sheet in six matches. Both teams scored in four of those six matches. Benfica will be happy to take this game at home, where they haven't lost a league game this season. Their unbeaten home run in Primeira Liga stretches to last season – 18 matches.

Braga’s chase for a place in Europe is facing a stern test in the final four matches of the season. As things stand, they aren’t favorites to get a top-two slot, while they are also faced with competition for fourth spot. Vitoria Guimaraes below them are just five points away and also gunning for the Conference League position. Braga aren’t on a bad run coming into this game but an earlier poor run leaves their European qualification hopes in serious jeopardy. They have just one loss in the last 10 matches, a shock 3-0 loss at home to Arouca. That was one of the two times in four matches that Braga conceded three goals, casting a doubt on their defensive abilities. Braga have managed just one clean sheet in the last five matches, both sides scoring in three. It will further work against their morale, having lost each of their last three matches against Benfica.