Braga v Benfica Bet Builder Stats & Predictions
Braga v Benfica
Kick Off: 18:00, Sunday 28th December
Competition: Liga Portugal
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Braga welcome Benfica, with Jose Mourinho’s side looking to cut the gap to Porto who currently have an eight point lead on Benfica in the league standings. Braga sit just a point outside of the European spots and have only lost two of their seven home games in Liga Portugal this season.
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Match Stats: Both sides in good form
Braga have won four of their last five matches across all competitions, and should approach this tie with confidence, having only lost two of their seven games at home this term. They’ve scored 12 goals across these matches, and only conceded five, which is the best home record in Liga Portugal outside of the top three sides in the division.
It feels like Liga Portugal is split into a mini league, with Sporting, Benfica and Porto being so dominant. Benfica’s away record in the division is a good example of this dominance, they’ve won six of their seven matches on the road and have only conceded two goals – despite being eight points adrift of Porto.
Benfica have won their last four matches across all competitions, with all of these victories coming to nil. Their defensive record on the road is really strong, but Braga will have plenty of confidence from their positive displays in recent weeks.
Predictions –
Benfica to win @ 2.1
Benfica 2+ goals scored @ 2.0
Shot Stats: Pavlidis closing in on last season’s tally
Vangelis Pavlidis tends to find it far too easy in Liga Portugal, with the 27-year-old netting 14 goals across his 14 starts in the division this term. He scored 19 goals across 27 starts last season, so is on track to better that tally this time around.
Pavlidis has scored in each of his last two Liga Portugal matches, with these strikes coming against Famalicao and Moreirense. He’s had 46 shots across his 15 appearances in Liga Portugal (3.33 per 90), with 25 of these efforts finding the target (1.61 per 90).
It’s worth noting that seven of the 14 goals that Pavlidis has scored in Liga Portugal this season have come from penalties. Benfica have won more penalties than any other side in Liga Portugal this term (8), so it is definitely a viable avenue for Benfica to find the back of the net here.
Predictions –
- Vangelis Pavlidis to score anytime @ 2.75
- Vangelis Pavlidis 2+ shots on target @ 2.25
Card Stats: Keep and eye on Benfica cautions
Both of these sides rank towards the bottom of the card numbers in Liga Portugal, with Braga picking up fewer yellow cards than any other side in the division (29 – 1.93 per game). Benfica have only picked up three more yellow cards than Braga in Liga Portugal this season (32 – 2.13 per game), but if you’re looking to back a cards bet, I’d focus on the away side.
The main area of focus is Benfica’s midfield. Enzo Barrenchea and Richard Rios are a very combative duo and will put in risky challenges at times. Barrenchea has picked up more yellow cards than any other player in the Benfica squad (6), and Rios isn’t too behind, with five yellow cards to his name.
Predictions –
Enzo Barrenchea to be shown a card @ 3.0
Richard Rios to be shown a card @ 2.75
Enzo Barrenchea 2+ Fouls Committed @ 1.67
Richard Rios 2+ Fouls Committed @ 1.5
By: @AndysBetClubUK
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