Jason Collins
Dailysports's expert
Among the Friday matches, it is worth paying attention to the clash between Nacional and Braga, and our specialists have compiled a forecast for this encounter. The opponents will face each other in the Portuguese League Cup.
Nacional
The "Black and White" team competes in the second-strongest Portuguese division. They currently stand in third place in the championship, trailing the leader by only 3 points. In their last match, Nacional convincingly defeated Ush Belenenses at home with a score of 5-0. The club has no chances to advance from their group in the Portuguese League Cup, currently occupying the last position and trailing the leader by 4 points. At the moment, the team's focus is more on the league, and the upcoming cup match may not be of paramount importance.
Braga
The "Archbishops" tested their strength in the group stage of the Champions League this season, finishing third and progressing to the Europa League. In the league, Braga holds the fourth position, trailing the leader by 5 points. In their last match, Braga suffered a 0-1 defeat against Benfica at home, despite dominating the game. The score did not reflect the gameplay, as the hosts played better than their opponents but failed to capitalize on their chances.
Interesting facts about the match and the history of head-to-head encounters
- Braga has not lost to Nacional in the last 10 years or in 14 consecutive meetings.
- Nacional has not suffered defeat in nine consecutive home matches in all competitions.
Prediction
Representatives of different divisions will meet, and the bookmakers understandably favor the visitors, given their higher class and greater motivation. Nacional is unlikely to gift their opponent points, even in a less prestigious tournament. Considering the tournament standings, it makes sense to consider a bet on the away team's victory with a handicap of -1.5 goals.
