Braga vs Sporting CP Prediction: Derby of the first round

The Portuguese championship belongs to one of the most interesting championships in Europe, despite the fact that mainly three clubs are fighting for the title (Porto, Benfica and Sporting), while the other teams are playing to decide which teams will qualify for the European competitions. In the first round of the Portuguese Championship, two teams that have a tradition and that are very often at the top of the table, will face each other. The match between Braga and Sporting is going to be very tight, because it's their first match in competition and it's between two teams that are close or even at the same level. So, for me it's an open game where both teams can score without taking too much of a risk. 

The new manager Artur Jorge will have a difficult task continuing the path of previous managers Ruben Amorim and Carlos Carvalhal. Braga is still expected to be in the top, the first candidate for the fourth position, and it will be difficult to threaten the big three. The pillar of the defense, David Carmo, strengthened Porto, while in recent days there have been talks about the departure of the first star Ricardo Horta, who is wanted by Benfica.

The team had solid pre-season games and it is expected Braga to be the team between the big 3 and the rest of the league.

The Lions did not defend the crown, but their season was far from unsuccessful. Sporting's renaissance began with the hiring of the young expert Ruben Amorim, for whom compensation of 10,000,000 euros was paid to Braga three years ago. Then it was a risk, now it's a full hit. The green and white strategist signed a new contract until the summer of 2024. His stay is perhaps the biggest gain for the giant from Lisbon, 19 times champion of Portugal.

The visiting team did not start the season well at all. Namely, they had a rather bad preparatory period in which they could not find their form at all, nor could they string together several good results. They were very active at the summer market and they should have good defensive line this season but they will have to awake the strikers if they want to win 20th trophy in the history.

Although the results and statistic from the past do not show that, here today we will play against the past. Sporting will certainly try to win and will use its individual qualities and I believe that they will score at least one goal, and it is reasonable to expect Braga to play very offensively, and I would be surprised if they did not score a goal as well.

• Both teams to score for 1.80
• Both teams to score and over 2.5 for 2.30
• Over 2.5 for 1.95