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

Prediction published on 09/02/2024, 11:15  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 11/02/2024 at 05:00 in Liga Portugal Prediction

The pick of the Primeira Liga matches this weekend will play out on Sunday, with Sporting Lisbon taking on Braga. The hosts are currently in second place in the league standings, while the visitors are fourth. Owing to their participation in the Taca de Portugal, Sporting dropped to second place, having not played in the league last week. They are on 49 points, two points behind league leaders Benfica and have a game in hand. In their last league match, the Lions claimed a massive 8-0 win over Casa Pia which extended their recent win streak to six matches on the bounce. The last time they lost a league fixture was at the start of December to Vitoria Guimaraes. At home, Sporting have been flawless this season, rattling off ten wins in succession, scoring two or more in all but one of those matches and keeping five clean sheets in that time. The reverse fixture between these sides ended 1-1 back in September, but the hosts are the favourites in this one. 

Meanwhile, Braga are still well in contention for a spot in Europe, currently on 40 points after 20 matches and trailing third-placed Porto by five points. In their last outing, they claimed a 1-0 win over Moreirense which extended their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions. Looking a little further back, Braga have only lost two of their last 15 league matches, which were against Benfica and Porto. On the road this season, Braga have taken 22 points from a possible 30 and have won four of their last five. The visitors' major strength this term has been their attacking output, with 44 goals scored in 20 matches, which is the second-best tally in the top flight. However, they now face the side with the out-and-out best attack, whom they have not beaten in their last three attempts, losing twice and drawing once.