After the long summer hiatus, the Primeira Liga finally returned last weekend with a full fixture list as the new season got underway.
Sporting and Braga experienced different starts to the new domestic campaign, but the second week offers an immediate chance to change that as the two teams meet on Sunday evening at Alvalade in Lisbon.
Let’s look at the predictions for the match from 22bet.co.uk - sports betting site.
Sporting VS Braga preview
Much of the talk over the summer has surrounded one specific Sporting player, and the Lisbon giants would have been thrilled at keeping Bruno Fernandes. The club captain had been subject to intense transfer rumours throughout the summer from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, but neither matched the price that Sporting were asking, so Fernandes stayed in Lisbon.
He started in their opening fixture against Marítimo but was unable to lead his side to victory. Getterson opened the scoring for the home side, before Sebastian Coates levelled the scores before half time – inevitably after being teed up by Fernandes. However, there were no further goals despite clear opportunities for both teams and Sporting had to settle for a point.
Braga, on the other hand, had an excellent start to the season. They took the lead in injury time at the end of the first half through Fransergio, before second-half strikes from Hassan and Wilson Eduardo put them into a commanding 3-0 lead against Moreirense.
The away side did get a late consolation through Anderson Miguel da Silva, but it was too little too late. Their fixture against Sporting will present a different challenge for Braga but judging from this form and their excellent showing in the Europa League, they could have a chance of getting a positive result.
Watch highlights of Marítimo 1-1 Sporting and Braga 3-1 Moreirense by clicking on this link.
Head to Head
Sporting dominates the overall record between the two sides, as they have won on 25 occasions compared to Braga’s 15 victories. There have also been five draws between the two Portuguese giants. Sporting won this fixture 3-0 last season as Bas Dost scored a brace after Bruno Fernandes had broken the deadlock.
Sá Pinto return
Braga coach Sá Pinto was a cult figure with Sporting during his playing days, the aggressive midfielder donning the green and white for a decade in two separate spells, not to mention becoming head coach of the club at the start of his managerial career. He has brought the same full-blooded approach to his managerial career and Sporting can certainly expect no favours with Pinto in the opposition dugout.
Sporting VS Braga Betting Tip
Despite starting with a disappointing draw, Sporting should have just enough to get their season back on track in front of their home fans in what has become a must-win match for the Lions and their under-pressure coach Marcel Keizer. Especially as Braga may well pay the price of their Europa League exertions, having played against Danish outfit Brondby on Thursday. Bruno Fernandes will be instrumental in the game, and his extra quality should be the difference to make sure Sporting get back to winning ways.
Tip: Sporting to win at 1.95 with 22BET. Bet also on betting site for Portgual.