It’s second against third in Portugal’s Primeira Liga this weekend, as FC Porto travel to the Estadio Municipal de Braga to face SC Braga on Sunday evening.
The title chasers are separated by just two points in the table, with second-placed Porto leading third-placed Braga. Meanwhile, table-topping Benfica sit eight points clear of Porto.
Can Braga leapfrog their rivals into second place this weekend? Or will Porto extend their lead over the hosts? It’s time to take a closer look at the teams.
Let’s start with the hosts, Braga, who thrashed Vizela 4-0 last time out, picking up their fifth victory in six Primeira Liga matches.
When you look at the bigger picture, Braga have won 10 of their previous 12 league outings, with 18 wins coming in their previous 23 encounters.
Remarkably, Braga have recorded a solitary draw in 24 league games this season, and that draw came in their very first outing of the campaign.
It is also worth noting that Braga have won each of their last five home league matches, losing just four of their past 27 home encounters at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.
Like Braga, Porto have won 18 of their 24 Primeira Liga clashes this term, although the Dragons have recorded three draws and three losses along the way.
Not only have Porto won eight of their last nine league outings, but they have also won 11 of their previous 13 to keep the pressure on Benfica at the summit.
Better still, the Dragons have avoided defeat in each of their past 10 away league games, winning their previous four.
Although Porto exited the Champions League following a goalless draw with Inter Milan in midweek, Sergio Conceicao’s men will be confident of bouncing straight back this weekend.
Head-to-head: Porto thrashed Braga 4-1 in the reverse fixture back in September, while Matheus was sent off for the visitors.
Given that Porto have won 28 of the last 45 meetings – limiting Braga to just eight victories – the Dragons will be hopeful of notching another win on Sunday.
Team news: Braga have reported no fresh injury problems ahead of the weekend, meaning Artur Jorge has a full-strength squad at his disposal.
By contrast, Porto are currently without the injured quartet of Pepe, Joao Mario, Joao Marcelo and Francisco Meixedo.
Although Braga trail Porto by just two points, it is difficult to look past the Dragon’s outstanding record in the fixture over the years.
With that in mind, Forebet predicts that Porto will claim all three points this weekend, scoring over 1.5 goals on their way to victory.
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