Rafael Guillén
This match will be a duel at the top of the table in Portugal. Sporting Lisbon vs Braga pits two clubs with only eight points separating them, but the Arcebispo team is still in the hunt for Benfica, which is leading with a good advantage. They can no longer lose points if they don’t want the Eagles to win the championship early.
As promised, at JefeBet we are ready to provide you with the best sports betting information and Primeira Liga predictions, so here is our prediction for this match between Sporting Lisbon vs Braga.
Predictions, Picks, and Betting Odds for Sporting Lisbon vs Braga Primeira Liga Matchday 18 Game on February 2, 2023
- Where: Estadio José Alvalade, Lisboa, Portugal
- When: Thursday, February 2, 2023, 2:00 PM ET
- Moneyline: Sporting Lisbon (-121) / Tie (+265) / Braga (+285)
- Asian Handicap: Sporting Lisbon (AH -0.5 -117) / Braga (AH +0.5, -107)
- Over/Under (2.5): Over (-125) / Under (-107)
- Both teams score: Yes (-137) / No (+105)
Odds provided by Unibet.
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Sporting Lisbon Preview
The whites and greens have only lost one of their last five matches and are playing quite well. Ruben Amorim has them in the Europa League and fighting at the top of the standings. Maybe the championship is already complicated, but getting into the Champions League is quite possible.
To do so, they must continue to add, as they have the surprising Casa Pia only two points behind them. The Lions are an offensive team that thrives at home. They have played 8 home games and won 7, they only lost against Chaves 0-2, but from then on they have been unstoppable at the Jose Alvalade.
They have a record of 21 goals scored at home and only 5 conceded. Lisbon has become a fortress for Sporting with Pedro Gonçalves spearheading the attack. He has 18 goals in all competitions, and 8 of those in the league.
Possible Lineup (3-4-2-1): Antonio Adán; Gonçalo Inacio, Sebastián Coates, Matheus Reis; Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte, Hidemassa Morita, Nuno Santos; Marcus Edwards, Pedro Gonçalves; Youssef Chermiti.
Braga Preview
Braga is on cloud nine after 5 consecutive wins, including a 3-0 thrashing of leaders Benfica. The Bragantinos are going all out and are looking to continue closing the 7-point gap that keeps them in second place.
They are strong everywhere, but it is striking how they behave away from home. Out of nine matches played they have won eight and lost only one against Porto in matchday 8 with a score of 4-1. They learned their lesson and have not fallen.
They do not relax because they have Porto very close to them. Only one point separates them, and they could drop to third place if they lose and the Dragons win. They are extremely connected and have become a very tough nut to crack.
Possible Lineup (4-4-2): Matheus; Victor Gómez, Vitor Tormena, Paulo Oliveira, Nuno Sequeira; Iuri Medeiros, Mutassim Al Musrati, André Horta, Hermani Infande; Vitinha, Abel Ruiz.
JefeBet Prediction
Braga’s inertia will not end, and we think they will beat Sporting in Lisbon and continue to put pressure on Benfica. The fall will be painful for Cristiano Ronaldo’s Alma Mater, who will have to pray that Casa Pia does not win because that would send them to fifth place.
They already played on matchday 1 and it was a spectacular 3-3. We don’t think there will be that many goals, but there are certainly emotions for all that is at stake.
Prediction: Sporting Lisbon 1-2 Braga.
