Porto vs Braga
17th January 1900hrs
Football – Portugal – Primeira Liga
Pick Porto to win to nil
Bookmaker: Marathonbet
Odds: EVENS odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 16 January
It’s the first of a double-header in Portugal on Friday as second place Porto look to get a win that keeps them on the heels of the leaders against a Braga team looking to chase European football.
Table of Contents
Porto Preview – Can Porto put increased pressure on title rivals Benfica in the Lisbon derby by winning here?
Sergio Conceicao’s Porto continue to be very consistent and have now won 13 out of 16 league games this season, losing only once. For the majority of leagues that would be enough to see them sitting top – and comfortably so. Unfortunately for them they are up against a relentless Benfica outfit who are four points clear. Porto remain the only team to have beaten the leaders this season but they have since gone on to win every game.
(odds taken 2000 GMT, Thursday 16 January)
Porto will be hopeful of eating into that four points deficit, particularly as they have played two fewer games at home so far. Whilst Benfica have accumulated more points at home, Porto remain the only team in the league who have a 100% home record. Indeed, they have won 12 straight home matches in the league. Somewhat incredibly, they have conceded just once in that period.
It’s a level of form they will have to continue if they are to usurp Benfica at the top.
Braga Preview – Will Braga make it three wins in a row and go to within two points of Sporting in fourth place?
Fifth placed Braga head to Porto on Friday looking to put pressure on the teams currently occupying the Europa League position. Coming into this set of fixtures they find themselves five points behind fourth placed Sporting and a further point adrift of third spot. There still very much close enough to make an impression and are hoping to make it three wins in a row, at the same time as defeating Porto on home soil for the first time this season. It would be the first time since 2005 they would have won at this venue should they pull it off.
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There’s no doubt that Braga have shown improvement and more consistency of late. They have won four of their last six and if they can maintain that then they will feel that they can eat into gap between themselves and the European positions.
Paulinho has been in great form for Braga this season scoring eight goals in 12 matches. His best return in the top league is 13 goals and he’s on course to better that in this campaign. His recent form is also very good with three goals in his last two matches.
Porto vs Braga Betting Advice
Friday has the makings of being a significant night in terms of the top of the table. Four of the top five are in action and all will be looking to creep closer to their ultimate goals. Porto will hope they can get the win here and pilie pressure on Benfica who are away to Sporting in the Lisbon derby. Equally, Braga know they need to keep winning as they push for a European spot and will be hoping Benfica can do them a favour later in the evening.
Key Facts – Porto vs Braga Betting Tip
- Porto are looking to make it eight from eight at home in the Portuguese top-flight this season
- Braga have won three of their last five away games in the Primeira Liga
- The visitors have not won here since 2005 and not beaten Porto since 2016
There’s no doubt that Braga have shown real improvement recently but this is a huge test for them up against a Porto team who are so consistently good at home.
The hosts have conceded one goal in their 12 straight wins at home so the betting prediction is for Porto to win to nil and heap pressure on the leaders when they kickoff just after this game finishes.
The best betting odds for Porto vs Braga
Porto to win: 1/2 at Bet365
Draw: 16/5 at Bet365
Braga to win: 11/2 at Bet365
