Braga on a winning streak?

Sporting Braga have recorded 3 wins and 2 draws in their past multi-competitive encounters with Santa Clara. The most recent away game in Ponta Delgada, home of CD Santa Clara, ended 1-1. We can find out on January 5th, 2023 whether Sporting Braga's run of success will continue. 

The course of the season so far has favored the guests from Braga. They are still fighting for the championship title, although the gap to the current leaders is already 6 points. Nonetheless, they are just 1 point behind second-placed Porto. While Santa Clara have a 6-point cushion from a relegation zone, they should score to break away from the lower echelons. However, it won't be easy for the hosts, as you can read in this preview.

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Santa Clara analysis

Santa Clara played their last competitive game on December 29, 2022. They lost against Gil Vicente 1-0 and thus suffered their 3rd defeat in a row. In general, they could not win any of the last 5 competitive games. Only 2 wins were possible in the last 10 games and 3 draws. Santa Clara is no longer represented in any cup competition. In the Taca de Portugal they lost 2-0 to Tondela and in the League Cup (Allianz Cup) they suffered 3 defeats in the group stage and drew only one.

The club from the Santa Clara suburb of the city of Ponta Delgada celebrated only 2 wins and 3 draws in the home stadium. They lost twice. They scored 9 times and allowed 8 goals. 

The 45-year-old Mario Silva has been under contract as a coach at Sporting Braga since January 1st, 2022. The Portuguese has an average success rate as a trainer of 1.32 points per game. He has met Braga twice so far. A draw was possible and he admitted defeat once. He drew with Santa Clara and suffered the defeat as Rio Ave coach. In general, Santa Clara's record under his leadership is negative with 3 wins, 5 draws and 11 losses this season.

Braga analysis

Sporting Braga also played their last competitive game in 2022 . They won 3-0 against Benfica Lisbon - currently at the top of the table. In general, they have only suffered 2 defeats in the past 10 games. Braga can also be found on the European football scene, having been knocked out of the Europa League but now playing in the UEFA Europa Conference League intermediate round. There they will meet AC Fiorentina in the first leg on February 16, 2023. Sporting Braga were eliminated from the League Cup in the quarterfinals by Sporting Lisbon after a 5-0 defeat. In the Taca de Portugal they meet Vitoria Guimarães in the round of 16 next week (11 January).

So far, Braga has performed better away than in front of their home crowd. Abroad they have celebrated 6 victories to date and only suffered 1 defeat in Portugal's strongest football league. They finished 18 times and allowed 7 goals. At home 4 wins and 1 draw were possible. They gave up twice. The home goal record is 14-5. In contrast to Santa Clara, they have no casualties to complain about.

Santa Clara - Braga: What to expect? 

Both teams have faced each other 17 times so far. 3 games decided Santa Clara and 9 SC Braga. They shared the points 5 times. Santa Clara is only in its 5th year at premier again. Therefore, we took a closer look at the past 10 direct duels. 8 Portuguese leagues and 2 cup games are among them. Santa Clara won 2 games. Braga won 5 times and 3 times they drew. Santa Clara only managed 8 goals, while SC Braga managed to score 18 times. 4 times Over 2.5 goals while 4 times both teams scored.

We assume that Sporting Braga will not let the victory be snatched away. We would therefore add tip 2 to the betting slip today . Because of Braga's strong defense and Santa Clara's weak offensive, we can recommend a Braga win to nil. We dare not predict if there will be more or less than 2.5 goals. We slightly prefer the Under 2.5 goals. However, we would bet on over 1.5 goals or under 3.5 goals.

• Braga to win at odds of 1.69
• Braga win to nil at odds of 2.69
• Under 3.5 goals at odds of 1.3

* All odds and markets are correct at time of publication and subject to change.