'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMsmEkv/xAAgEAAABQQDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQREgADBiETIjFR/9oACAEBAAE/AEeMIjoQdRZAWLuB3b6AN7VzG0fIaKg8X10r/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEBAwT/2gAIAQIBAT8Anbc0z//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAAf/aAAgBAwEBPwDGr//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Third-placed Porto will entertain fourth-placed Braga at the Estádio do Dragão in an exciting Primeira Liga clash on Sunday.
The hosts were held to a 1-1 draw by local rivals Boavista in their previous league outing last week and bounced back with a win in the Taca de Portugal round of 16 Tuesday. The Brazilian duo of Evanilson and Galeno were on the scoresheet, with the former scoring a hat-trick and the latter adding the fourth goal in the 76th minute.
The visitors played a 1-1 draw against local rivals Vitoria Guimaraes in the league last week with João Sabino Mendes scoring a last-gasp equalizer for Vitoria in added time.
They were also in action in the Taca de Portugal and lost 3-2 to Benfica on Wednesday. Rodrigo Zalazar bagged a brace but it was not enough as Fredrik Aursnes scored the match-winner for the Lisbon giants in the 70th minute.
Porto vs Braga Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two northern Portuguese rivals have locked horns 166 times across all competitions thus far. The hosts have dominated proceedings against the visitors with 111 wins to their name. The visitors have got the better of the hosts 26 times and 29 games have ended in draws.
- They locked horns three times last season, in which the hosts had an unbeaten run, with two wins. They recorded a 4-1 win at home in the Primeira Liga and the reverse fixture ended in a draw. They squared off in the Taca de Portugal final in June, with Porto recording a 2-0 win.
- Braga have suffered just one defeat in their travels in the league this season. They have recorded four wins in their last five away games, scoring at least three goals in four games in that period.
- The visitors have the best-attacking record in the league this season, scoring 40 goals in 16 games, outscoring the hosts by 17 goals.
Porto vs Braga Prediction
Dragões are unbeaten in their last four games across all competitions since losing 2-0 to league leaders last month, recording three wins. They have recorded six consecutive wins at home in all competitions, scoring 17 times while conceding five goals in that period.
Head coach Sérgio Conceição remains without the services of Iván Marcano through an injury while Zaidu Sanusi and Mehdi Taremi are on international duty. Goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos missed the last two games due to flu but is back in full training.
Os Arcebispos have endured a winless run in their two games in 2024 thus far, conceding four goals while scoring three times in these games. While they are unbeaten in their last five away games in the Primeira Liga, they have just one win in their last 18 away league meetings against the hosts, which is a cause for concern.
Head coach Artur Jorge is only expected to be without the services of Simon Banza and Sikou Niakaté as they are on international duty. Álvaro Djaló made an appearance from the bench in the Taca de Portugal and should return to the starting XI alongside José Fonte, who was an unused substitute.
Porto were unbeaten in their three meetings against the visitors last season and, considering their impressive home record in this fixture, they should be able to register a win.
Prediction: Porto 3-2 Braga
Porto vs Braga Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Porto to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least a goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Evanilson to score or assist any time - Yes
