Braga vs Portimonense SC Prediction: Os Arsenalistas To Take The Lead In The First Half

For the 30th round of the Primeira Liga, Braga welcomes Portimonense SC to the Estádio Municipal de Braga.

Will Portimonense SC be able to triumph decisively away from home, or will their subpar away performance cause them to suffer a crushing loss that will end their string of four straight victories?

Let's have a look at the latest Portuguese Primeira Liga predictions between Braga vs Portimonense SC, probable lineups, match facts and up to date betting odds for you to consider!

Braga

Form: WWWWD

Os Arsenalistas had nothing to worry about as they returned to the second leg of the Taca de Portugal semifinals against CD Nacional at home, carrying an insurmountable 5:0 advantage from the first leg they won, and though they played out a 2:2 draw this time around, that didn't derail their plans of reaching the finals as they won 7:2 on aggregate.

In the Primeira Liga, they recorded a 1:0 victory on the road against Casa Pia, thanks to Ricardo Horta's goal in the 54th minute, and with that win, they extended their winning streak to four games, while their unbeaten streak was extended to seven games.

Artur Jorge's men have the third-best home record this season, having suffered only two losses in their last 14 matches to accumulate 32 points from ten wins and two draws. It's also worth noting that they are on an eight-match unbeaten run (W7 D1 L0), and those results obtained are proof that they have been unassailable at the Estádio Municipal de Braga.

With 68 points from 29 games, they are currently third in the table, and with their chances of finishing first hanging by a thread, they can compete for an automatic Champions League spot currently held by FC Porto, who are only two points ahead them.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-4-2

Matheus; Gomez, Tormena, Niakate, Borja; Mediros, Horta, Al-Musrati, Bruma; Ruiz, Horta

Portimonense SC

Form: WWDLL

The Alvinegros gave their fans something to cheer about in their latest home game against Gil Vicente, as Maurício's lone goal in the 48th minute meant that they grabbed all three points in a 1:0 triumph, extending their unbeaten streak at home to two games.

With a two-match winning streak while remaining unbeaten in three games, they have certainly turned the tide for the better after being on a five-match losing streak that lasted three months, which was undeniably a rough patch for them, and they'll be looking to capitalize on their momentum to extend their unbeaten run to four games.

Away from home, their form has been dismal, as they have yet to live up to expectations, despite a recent 1:0 victory over GD Estoril Praia. Behind that brief victory was a seven-match losing streak, and their last 14 away matches have left Paulo Sérgio's seething, as they have only managed four wins, and ten losses.

They currently sit in 13th place with 33 points, 11 points ahead of the relegation playoffs, while their bid for 12th place is hampered by a two-point deficit.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Nakamura; Moufi, Henrique, Park, Relvas; Mauricio; Gomes, Estrela, Carlinhos, Gonzalez; Cariello

Match Facts

• Braga has not lost in their last eight home games.
• Portimonense SC has not won any of their last nine away games against Braga.
• Braga averages 1.89 goals per game at home, while Portimonense SC averages 0.58 goals per game away.

Head-To-Head

Braga has won 14 of the last 19 matches, Portimonense SC has won one, and there have been four draws, with a goal difference of 36-15 in favor of Braga.

Expert Betting Tips

Portimonense SC's performance has taken a slight improvement as they have now gone three games unbeaten, and they will hope it will be enough to fend off the threat of Braga, who have played well enough at home to be regarded as a force to be reckoned with.

Braga are bookmakers' favorites not only because they have the support of their fans at the Estadio Municipal de Braga but also because Portimonense SC have performed really poorly on the road this season, giving them the edge to eke out another convincing win at home, and a win here will definitely mean they still get to put pressure on second-place FC Porto in their bid to overthrow them.

Though they are not a particularly appealing pick in the full-time market because of the low odds, picking them to take the lead in the first half of this game should be enough to win.

• 1st Half Result - Braga for 1.80
• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 2.10
• Goals - Over 2.5 for 1.66