MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 19:31:22| >> :120:41268:41268:
[monks data]
Braga
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 30
Apr 29, 2023 at 3.30pm UK
Estádio Municipal de Braga
Portimonense

Braga
4 - 1
Portimonense

Ruiz (2'), Medeiros (32'), Niakate (38'), Horta (67')
Bruma (74')
FT(HT: 3-1)
Gomes (45+2')
Ventura (10'), Seck (37'), Carlinhos (45+3'), Moufi (54'), Klismahn (85')

Preview: Braga vs. Portimonense - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Primeira Liga clash between Braga and Portimonense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

With five games remaining to overtake Benfica and Porto, Braga will aim to keep their faint Primeira Liga title hopes alive when Portimonense visit the Estadio Municipal de Braga on Saturday.

Braga have won each of their last four league matches, while back-to-back victories have seen Portimonense steer clear of relegation trouble at the opposite end of the table.


Match preview

Braga's Andre Castro celebrates scoring their first goal on February 23, 2023© Reuters

It is fair to say that Braga can count themselves unfortunate to be six points behind table-topping Benfica, as Artur Jorge's men have won 22 of their 29 league games this season, scoring 62 goals along the way.

Os Arsenalistas have remained relentless as they continue their pursuit of the top two, taking 19 points from a possible 21 since their last defeat, with five clean sheets coming during that period.

Better still, Braga have only lost two of their previous 17 Primeira Liga clashes, picking up 14 wins to remain within touching distance of Benfica and Porto, with the latter sitting just two points above them in the table.

Jorge's side have been particularly strong at the Estadio Municipal de Braga of late, winning seven of their last eight home league games while keeping six clean sheets, and they also held Porto to a goalless draw last month.

Having booked their place in the Taca de Portugal final on Tuesday – completing a 7-2 aggregate victory over Nacional to advance to the showpiece – Braga will back themselves to maintain their strong form when Portimonense come to town.

Portimonense's Fahd Moufi on April 2, 2023© Reuters

When Portimonense suffered five straight defeats between late February and early April, it looked as though Paulo Sergio's men would drop into the relegation dogfight and endure a testing end to the season.

However, Alvinegros have taken seven points from a possible nine since then, opening up a healthy 11-point gap between them and the bottom three.

Following a 2-2 draw with Rio Ave, Portimonense claimed a 1-0 victory at Estoril Praia before defeating Gil Vicente by the same scoreline last time out, clinching back-to-back league wins for the first time since September.

Regardless of the recent upturn, Portimonense cannot afford to rest on their laurels ahead of a crucial clash with Braga, as they have endured a torrid time on the road of late, losing seven of their last eight away matches.

Worse still, Alvinegros have lost 10 of their 14 away league games this season while failing to score on nine occasions, so it is no surprise that only the bottom two sides have netted fewer goals than Portimonense this term.

Braga Primeira Liga form:


Braga form (all competitions):


Portimonense Primeira Liga form:


Team News

Braga's Ricardo Horta is shown a yellow card by referee on September 30, 2022© Reuters

Having missed the past three games through injury, veteran midfielder Andre Castro is unlikely to feature in Braga's matchday squad this weekend.

Ricardo Horta has notched 11 goals and six assists in 25 league games this season, while Iuri Medeiros has chipped in with nine goals and four assists, so both players should come back into the starting XI after Tuesday's cup triumph.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Matheus will replace Tiago Sa between the sticks as Artur Jorge reverts back to his first-choice Primeira Liga goalkeeper.

Portimonense, on the other hand, have reported no injury problems ahead of Saturday's clash, meaning that Paulo Sergio could stick with the same starting XI that helped inspire back-to-back wins.

Mauricio will continue in midfield after scoring the winner against Gil Vicente last weekend, with Rui Gomes and Yony Gonzalez expected to support lone striker Yago Cariello.

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Gomez, Tormena, Niakate, Borja; Mediros, Horta, Al-Musrati, Bruma; Ruiz, Horta

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Nakamura; Moufi, Henrique, Park, Relvas; Mauricio; Gomes, Estrela, Carlinhos, Gonzalez; Cariello


SM words green background

We say: Braga 3-0 Portimonense

When you couple Braga's exceptional home form with Portimonense's woeful away record, all the signs point towards a straightforward win for Os Arsenalistas at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.

Given that Braga have won 10 of their last 13 home league games – keeping nine clean sheets in the process – we expect Jorge's men to notch another shutout victory in front of their fans.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


ID:512468:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11833:
Written by
Ben Morris

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Braga vs Portimonense

Braga
94.4%
Draw
5.6%
Portimonense
0.0%
18
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Porto's Mateus Uribe celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on April 7, 2023
Read Next:
Saturday's Primeira Liga predictions including Porto vs. Santa Clara
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon14120243103336
2Benfica1210113172431
3Porto1310123192231
4Santa ClaraSanta Clara149051613327
5Braga137332213924
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes136341612421
7MoreirenseMoreirense146261919020
8FamalicaoFamalicao134631412218
9Gil Vicente144461724-716
10Rio AveRio Ave134361323-1015
11Casa Pia133551117-614
12Estoril PraiaEstoril133551219-714
13Nacional13337817-912
14Estrela Amadora133371222-1012
15BoavistaBoavista142571019-911
16AVS132561021-1111
17AroucaArouca14329823-1511
18SC FarenseFarense14239720-139


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!