Porto v SC Braga Betting Tips [30 September 2022]

In a battle between second and third, Porto host Braga at the Dragao for the eighth round of the Portuguese Primeira Liga. The hosts entered the FIFA break with a dip in form. They were demolished by Club Brugge at home in what was a humiliating performance and then conceded an away draw to Estoril in a game where they needed the ninth minute of additional time to bring the game to a level. While they are already five points behind leaders Benfica and three behind Braga, there is cause for optimism. The hosts have won twelve of their last thirteen games at the Dragao. They have also exhibited a string defensive performance in most of them, keeping clean sheets in eight of those. They have also won in six of their last eight home meetings against Braga, albeit losing two of their most recent four. 

Braga are the surprise package of the season so far. Usually accustomed to compromising with a fourth place finish behind the three mighty Lisbon teams, they look ready to take it up a notch this year, being in second place and winning all of their last eight games. They have also been exceptional in defence, are top of their Europa League group and still unbeaten in the league, having just dropped points in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Sporting. To top all of that off, Braga have won six of their last seven away games, keeping clean sheets in three of those and scoring twenty-three goals in the process, which also makes them the best attacking force in the league so far. They are surely well-placed to get something from this encounter.