Sporting Braga Vs Porto Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Liga Portugal

Sporting Braga Vs Porto Preview

Tournament: Liga Portugal

Date: Sunday, March 9

Kick-off time: 20:30 GMT

Venue: Estadio Municipal de Braga

Two powerhouse in Liga Portugal Sporting Braga and Porto tussle each other in round 25 of the league action at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.

Sporting Braga will be looking to bounce back here after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Rio Ave in the last match. This defeat marks a successive defeat for them after also getting eliminated from the Taca De Portugal quarter-final against Benfica. However, their last five matches have been pretty good having secured three wins, one draw, and losing another in the last match.

As a result, they are occupying the fourth position in the standings having accumulated 47 points from 24 matches, nine points behind table toppers Sporting CP. Part of their success has been the form of Bruma who is leading both the scoring charts and assists charts with eight goals and six assists respectively.

Porto on the other hand are unbeaten in their last six matches in the league securing two wins and drawing another four. They currently trail league leaders Sporting CP by six points having secured 50 points so far from 24 matches. After getting eliminated from the UEFA Europa League, they will be shifting their focus in the league with still a lot to play for.

In the last match, they secured a deserved 2-0 win over Arouca securing their second clean sheet in three matches but need to be more clinical in taking the chances having scored four goals in their last three matches. Summer recruit Samuel Aghehowa is leading the goalscoring chart for them with 14 goals with Martin Fernandes providing the most assists(5).

Sporting Braga Team News

Sporting Braga have three injury concerns in their squad. Central defender Sikou Niakate is dealing with a thigh injury while midfielders Rodrigo Zalazar and Carvalho are suffering from muscle injuries. Carlos Carvalhal is likely going to start Joao Moutinho and Ricardo Horta with the Portuguese duo emerging as one of the most important players in the squad.

Porto Team News

Porto have almost all the players available in the squad but are sweating on the fitness of Brazilian winger Pepe and Rodrigo Mora who have joined the team training after injury rehabilitation. Samuel Aghehowa will likely lead the line after impressing for them in the center forward role. Martin Fernandes is also another player who is putting a actual shift in the right back role and will be hoping to start here.

Sporting Braga Vs Porto Predicted Lineups

Sporting Braga predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Hornicek

Defenders: Gomez, Oliveira, Bambu, Chissumba

Midfielders: Moutinho, Gorby

Attackers: Fernandes, Horta, Gharbi; Navarro

Porto predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Goalkeeper: Costa

Defenders: Perez, Marcano, Otavio

Midfielders: Fernandes, Varela, Vieira, Moura

Attackers: Borges, Aghehowa, Eustaquio

Sporting Braga Vs Porto H2H Record

Porto have got the better of Sporting Braga in each of the last five occasions securing four wins and one draw. Their most recent outing ended in a 2-1 win for the visitors

Key players to watch in Sporting Braga Vs Porto

Ricardo Horta (Sporting Braga)

The Portuguese international has into one of the most prominent figures in the team and has performed consistently throughout the season. This season, he has registered six goals and provided three assists from the starting 24 matches. However, his recent form hasn't been great either with the team also struggling to score consistently. In his last five matches, Horta has registered just one goal but in the previous two matches, he has found the back of the net more regularly.

Samuel Aghehowa (Porto)

The Spain international is currently leading the goalscoring chart for them with 14 goals from 20 appearances while also laying on another three assists. He has been an excellent addition to the team after securing the transfer from Atletico Madrid in the summer. Known for his physical prowess and rapid pace, he has scored one goal and registered one assist in the last five matches.

Sporting Braga Vs Porto Prediction

The home side haven't been at their best recently and are coming into this tie on the back of successive defeats. Their recent encounters against Porto also suggest they have a difficult task on their horizon. Porto will be confident heading into this tie with the team in great form. We expect the visitors to emerge victorious here with a narrow win.

Predicted Score: Sporting Braga 1-2 Porto

Where to watch Sporting Braga Vs Porto Live?