Can Braga Spring an Upset and Knock Napoli Out by Heading Through?
SSC Napoli vs Sporting Braga - 12/12/2023
Maciej Rogowski Photo / Shutterstock.com
5838
Napoli are back at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this Tuesday night for a crucial Champions League battle with Braga that sees the Serie A champions with one foot in the knockout rounds but also with a chance of facing a great upset.
After a 2-1 win against Braga back in Portugal in September, Napoli have all but secured a spot out of this group.
On the other hand, with just a three-point gap on them, the Serie A giants could well still head out of the competition and end up in the Europa League this season.
Napoli does have a +3 better goals difference than Braga, but with the head-to-head record being the first deciding factor instead should two teams be level on points, Braga can still head through with a two-goal winning margin.
This means scorelines such as 2-0, 3-1 or 4-2, for example, will suffice, as this will then mean Braga sits one goal ahead of Napoli in the head-to-head record with one which each and also meaning they will be in the knockout stages by the absolute barest of margins.
On the other hand, although the Primeira Liga outfit will be well up for it, it’s doubtful we’ll see a dramatic upset.
Napoli is still by far the better team and has also defeated Union Berlin and scored eight Champions League goals in Group C.
They are also still the third highest scorers in Serie A this season with 26 netted from 15 games.
However, Braga will be aware that this game also comes just over a week on from another incredible 3-0 loss in Naples to Inter Milan for Napoli, as they also suffered a 1-0 defeat away to Juventus last Friday.
Napoli is now in sixth in Serie A in what has been a terrible defense of their title so far.
They have also lost twice to Real Madrid this Champions League season by letting in a total of seven goals against them.
Back on the domestic front for Braga, they have produced an 11-game unbeaten run where they have won nine of those games. It keeps the club well in the title race alongside the big three of Portugal.
The only losses during this commendable run have been in the Champions League to Madrid twice and Napoli once, beating and drawing with Union Berlin at the same time.
Forebet predicts a win for Napoli and for the game to see over 2.5 goals.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
442729
1
3 - 1
2.99
16°
1.45
1.45
5.00
5.75
no
no
no
2 - 0(2 - 0)
Home
Football 
Basketball
Hockey
American Football
Baseball
Rugby
Volleyball
Handball
Esoccer
