Sporting Braga vs Chaves
Date: Monday, 24th October 2016
Kick-off: 20:00 UK
Venue: Estadio Municipal de Braga.
Braga shouldn’t have a problem readjusting from their midweek Europa League action. They also have a four day break from their trip to Turkey, so they should be back to their best for this game. Chaves could be a shock entrant in the Europa League themselves, if their early form holds. The key test for them will be surviving on a thin squad. This game will be a big test of their top five credentials.
Chaves will have to keep an eye on Braga forward Wilson Eduardo in this game. He’s the home side’s strongest scoring threat, having hit the back of the net in his last two league games here. We’re backing him to add to that record with a goal on Monday night. Eduardo is well priced to grab a goal here, coming in at 15/8 to score any time with bet365.
Eduardo has a better chance of scoring thanks to injuries, and Braga’s summer transfer dealings. They let two players out on loan to Chaves, both of whom are now unavailable for this clash. That’s left the visitors without two important players, and their first choice centre-back pairing. That is a huge blow in a massive game in their European push. Defenders Fabio Santos and Felipe Lopes have formed a strong partnership, one which has seen them concede just 0.67 goals per game. It’s hard to see their new makeshift defence repeating that form.
Braga come into this game averaging two goals per match at home, conceding 0.67 in return. They face a Chaves side who aren’t scoring enough goals. On top of that, the hosts have won the five meetings between these two in Braga by an 11-0 aggregate scoreline. That’s why we’re backing them to win with a -1 handicap here, at 13/8 with bet365.
Sporting Braga vs Chaves: Head-to-Head Stats
This will be the first competitive meeting Chaves and Braga since the Portuguese Cup fixture on 2008, which was won by visiting Braga by a 1-0 margin.
However, the league meeting are even dated back to as far as 1999, which was during the previous stint of Chaves in the Primeira Liga between 1994 and 1999.
The fans of Chaves probably don’t even want to look at the stats of their club’s meetings against Braga during. Chaves lost in all their five matches played at Estadio Municipal, failing to net one single goal and conceding eleven.
At the same time, they registered three wins against Braga at their home ground, but the performance on the road was always their weak point.
Sporting Braga vs Chaves: Prediction
Braga’s home field has represented a true fortress for the majority of other Primeira Liga teams. They are still undefeated this season and that streak will most likely continue on Monday. We believe in safe, clean home victory, without conceding a goal. Correct score value seekers might try with 2-0 for this match.
Sporting Braga vs Chaves: Betting Tips
Braga to win at 1.60 (3/5)
Both teams to score – NO at 1.80 (4/5).
