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Braga
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 31
Apr 25, 2022 at 6pm UK
Estadio Municipal
Porto

Braga
1 - 0
Porto

Horta (54')
Oliveira (33'), Silva (90+2')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Pepe (76'), Galeno (90+2')

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

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

Needing just one win to clinch their 30th Primeira Liga title, high-flying Porto go head to head with Braga at the Estadio Braga Municipal on Monday.

Sergio Conceicao's side, who have enjoyed an unbeaten campaign so far, boast a nine-point lead over second-placed Sporting Lisbon at the top of the league table after picking up 82 points from 30 outings.


Match preview

Braga players celebrate after winning the penalty shoot-out on February 24, 2022© Reuters

Braga were denied a fourth consecutive Primera Liga victory for the first time this season when they were held to an uneventful goalless draw by a resilient Estoril Praia side last Monday.

This followed a quarter-final exit from the Europa League as they suffered a 3-1 extra-time defeat at the hands of Rangers two Thursdays ago despite their 1-0 victory in the reverse leg on March 4.

Carlos Carvalhal's side, who have already secured their place in next season's Conference League, head into Monday's game unbeaten in all but one of their last nine league outings, claiming five wins and three draws in that time.

With 16 wins, eight draws and six losses from their 30 games so far, Braga have picked up 56 points to sit fourth in the Primeira Liga standings, nine points above fifth-placed Gil Vicente in the final European qualification spot.

Porto's Antonio Martinez celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 17, 2022© Reuters

Elsewhere, Porto continued their hunt for a domestic double as they booked their place in the Taca de Portugal final courtesy of a 1-0 victory over rivals Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of their semi-final clash last Thursday.

With a first-leg victory already in the bag, Toni Martinez struck the only goal of the game at the Estadio do Dragao to hand the hosts a 3-1 aggregate victory and send Ruben Amorim's side packing.

Porto now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they have enjoyed an unbeaten campaign so far and are currently on a run of six consecutive victories since February's 1-1 draw with Gil Vicente.

Conceicao's men currently sit top of the league standings after picking up 82 points from 30 games and could clinch their 30th league title with a win on Monday given their healthy nine-point cushion over second-placed Sporting Lisbon.

With four games left to play, the Dragoes will also be eying their best-ever point tally in the Portuguese top flight as they are currently just six points adrift of their 2017-18 title-winning campaign where they finished with 88 points.

Braga Primeira Liga form:
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D

Braga form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D

Porto Primeira Liga form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Porto form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W


Team News

Porto's Mateus Uribe celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on February 24, 2022© Reuters

Braga remains without the services of Iuri Medeiros, who has seven goals and six assists to his name in the league, after the 27-year-old forward missed the trip to Estoril Praia through injury.

However, Carvalhal's side will be boosted by the return of fellow forward Vitor Tormena, who is now available for selection after serving a one-match suspension for receiving his marching orders in the game against Vizela two Sundays ago.

Other names on the Os Arcebispos injury list include the Portuguese duo of Roger Fernandes and Nuno Sequeira, who have been ruled out through muscle and knee injuries respectively.

As for Porto, Mateus Uribe, who has made 24 appearances in the Primeira Liga this season, continues his spell on the sidelines after coming off injured in the game against Santa Clara on April 4.

Twenty-five-year-old midfielder Bruno Costa picked up an injury in March's Europa League clash with Lyon, while Portuguese full-back Wilson Manafa misses out through a leg injury that has kept him out of action since last December.

Taremi has been a pivotal in the Dragoes title charge, registering 18 goals and 12 assists in 28 league appearances and we expect to see the 29-year-old in attack, alongside Evanilson and Fabio Vieira, for the third game on the trot.

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Tormena, Carmo, Oliveira; Moura, F Silva, Al Musrati, A Horta; R Horta, Ruiz, Tormena

Porto possible starting lineup:
D Costa; Sanusi, Pepe, Mbemba, Mario; Pepe, Vitinha, Grujic; Vieira, Otavio, Taremi


SM words green background

We say: Braga 0-2 Porto

Porto have enjoyed a sensational domestic campaign this season and are now closing in on a record-breaking title triumph. Considering their contrasting form, and the gulf in quality between both teams, we are tipping the Dragoes to end their winless run at the Estadio Braga Municipal and come away with their first victory since 2019.



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



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Written by
Joshua Ojele

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Porto win with a probability of 51.06%. A win for Braga had a probability of 24.76% and a draw had a probability of 24.2%.

The most likely scoreline for a Porto win was 0-1 with a probability of 10.45%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (9.64%) and 0-2 (8.79%). The likeliest Braga win was 1-0 (6.82%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (11.46%). The actual scoreline of 1-0 was predicted with a 6.8% likelihood.


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Game History

How you voted: Braga vs Porto

Braga
19.8%
Draw
8.9%
Porto
71.3%
101
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon14120243103336
2Porto1411123392434
3Benfica1310213282432
4Santa ClaraSanta Clara149051613327
5Braga147432516925
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes146441814422
7MoreirenseMoreirense146261919020
8FamalicaoFamalicao144731715219
9Casa Pia144551317-417
10Gil Vicente144461724-716
11Rio AveRio Ave144461525-1016
12Estoril PraiaEstoril143561221-914
13Nacional13337817-912
14AVS142661122-1112
15Estrela Amadora143381224-1212
16BoavistaBoavista142571019-911
17AroucaArouca14329823-1511
18SC FarenseFarense14239720-139


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