On Sunday evening, Sporting Braga will look to boost their top-three hopes in the Primeira Liga when they host Casa Pia at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.
Top-three bid hampered by defeat against BenficaSporting Braga’s hopes of finishing in the Primeira Liga top-three experienced a major blow last time out, as they lost 3-1 at reigning champions Benfica.
The defeat against the Eagles leaves Braga in fourth place and in the Europa Conference League spot but still only a point shy of third-place Porto in the Europa League berth.
In truth, Rui Duarte’s team has been inconsistent of late in the Portuguese top-flight, winning two and losing two of their last four Liga outings.
Their recent games have at least been entertaining, with over 2.5 goals scored in five of their last six matches.
Braga’s recent home record is excellent. They have won five of their last six Liga games on home soil, scoring at least two goals in four of those five home wins.
Casa Pia looks to be comfortable in midtableThe visitors enter this game in ninth place, seven points clear of the league’s bottom three. With just three Primeira Liga games remaining, it seems unlikely that they will be sucked into the battle to avoid the relegation play-off spot.
Casa Pia has been difficult to beat lately, as they have lost just one of their previous five games in the Primeira Liga. However, a 3-1 home win over Chaves last time out ended a three-game winless run in the Portuguese top-flight.
The game was another high-scoring encounter for the visitors, as four of the last five Liga games have produced over 2.5 goals.
The visitors could not have been more inconsistent on their travels in the Primeira Liga lately. They have won two, drawn two, and lost two of their previous six away games.
What am I backing?Sporting Braga experienced a blip last time out. However, they are usually formidable on home soil, and I am backing them for an immediate return to winning ways.
