Guimaraes – Braga Prediction & Preview and Betting Tips (18.02.2018)

Vitória Guimarães and Sporting Braga face at Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques, in a match for the 23rd round of the Primeira Liga. In the last direct confrontation for this edition of the league, on 09-17-2017, Sporting Braga won at home, 2-1. In this stadium, the history of direct confrontations is favorable to the visiting team, which has 3 wins and 2 losses in the last 5 matches. In fact, the last time these two teams played a match at this stadium was on 14-08-2016, for the Primeira Liga, which ended with the victory of Sporting Braga by (0-1). The only goal of the match was scored by Pedro Santos (15 ‘). In this game the home factor may be decisive, since both teams present considerable differences in the results achieved at home and as a visitor.

Guimarães:

The home team is currently in the 8 th position of the league, with 29 points won, after 9 wins, 2 draws and 11 losses. In the penultimate match, they won in a home match against Paços de Ferreira, by (3-2). In the last match, they lost in an away match against Boavista, by (1-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 1 draw and 10 losses in away matches; against 7 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats in his stadium. In the last 10 home league matches Vitória Guimarães has a record of 6 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses, so they have won 19 points out of 30 possible. The team has conceded goals in 9 of the last 10 matches, so it has not presented great defensive solidity, but their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 22 matches in this tournament, he suffered the first goal 10 times and never got the comeback.

The Vitória de Guimarães for this game without great, motivation after having suffered a new defeat in the Portuguese championship, this time away from home against Boavista. However, it is important to underline that the local club has managed to take advantage of the support of its fans and has won the last two games in its stadium. Without great surprises, coach Pedro Martins should opt for a defensive strategy, looking only for the counterattack. Despite the lack of confidence that crosses, Vitória de Guimarães must dominate on some occasions and create good opportunities to score. The Brazilian Raphinha is the great highlight of this team, with 13 goals scored. For this game the home coach can not count on the injured Junior Stem.

Braga:

The away team is currently in the 4 th position of the league, with 46 points won, after 15 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses. In the penultimate match, they lost in an away match against Porto, by (3-1). In the last match, they won in a home match against Vitória Setúbal, by (3-1). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses in away matches, with 20 goals scored and 22 conceded; against 11 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses at their stadium, with 34 goals scored and 14 suffered. The team comes to this match after an away loss with Olympique Marseille by (3-0). For the league, Sporting Braga won 16 points out of 30 possible points, after 5 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses in the last 10 home matches. In their home league matches the most frequent result at half-time was the 0-0 (4 out of 10 matches). They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 22 matches in this tournament, he suffered the first goal 9 times and only managed 2 comebacks. In the last 10 away matches for this competition there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 6 of their 14 goals between minutes (76’-90 ‘).

The Sporting de Braga had in the last game a very complicated visit to Marseille, having lost by a clear 3-0. Thus, the life of the visiting team in the Europa League is much more complicated. However, in the last match for the championship, Braga beat Vitória de Setúbal 3-1. In this game on the premises of the local rival, coach Abel Ferreira must act with a dominating strategy, benefiting possession of the ball and organized attacks. Nevertheless, in some moments of the game he will have to play more directly, looking for forward Paulinho: this player is the best Braga marker in the championship, with 7 goals scored. For this game the coach can not count on Marafona, Fransergio and Ricardo Ferreira, all with physical problems.