THE GAME
The great clash of this 22nd round of the Premier League will be decisive for the podium at the end of the season. The two emblems protagonists of this encounter live very different moments. Sporting Clube de Braga, which hosts this meeting, is experiencing its worst moment of the season, and since the departure of José Peseiro do Minho that the Bracarenses are not convinced, with gray displays, accentuated in recent weeks.And neither in the Municipal Stadium of Braga do Minho Warriors feel more comfortable these last weeks, since they have not won in the last 2 last receptions, in Liga NOS. SC Braga is currently looking for a showy stabilization, and both the coaching change and the entry of several elements in the winter market may have put this reassurance at stake. Jorge Simão will have to find the right solution to stop the Tricampeão in title, he who in the first round of the Championship was defeated by 2-0, then in charge of Chaves.
Sport Lisbon and Benfica in turn is on the rise again. The last achievement of the Incarnates was the victory ripped off with a tremendous grip on the first leg of the knockout round of the Champions League, against Borussia Dortmund (1-0). The circumstances of this European game have also made SL Benfica prepare well for this meeting with the Minhotos: Jonas was left out injured and should be recovered for the visit to the Quarry, and Carrillo was out on the break, while with His goal, Mitroglou gained more confidence still.
And both the Brazilian and Greek strikers usually do well against SC Braga. The bad moment of the National Champion was short and seems already buried. With 3 consecutive victories, all tests confused, the Eagles want to settle their dominion. Rafa can be lined up on the return to the home that has potentiated him, which can be an extra motivation for the Portuguese International.
THE STATISTICS
-With 3 wins in 3 games, all tests confused, SL Benfica has a solid base here for this trip to Minho. In those encounters they did not concede any goal.
-Beware however, the Incarnates have been defeated in their last 2 away fixtures: 1 League Cup and or League Cup defeat.
-SL Benfica go in 6 consecutive victories against the Minho Warriors, 4 of them to count for the First League.
-17 goals were scored by the Eagles in these 6 duels. More than half appeared in the first part (8). SC Braga by their side only managed 3 goals, but never more than 1 by confrontation.
-In those meetings SL Benfica always scored 2 or more goals. In 3, they have scored at least 3 goals.
THE BETS OF OUR EXPERTS
We can advance without pimples that SL Benfica has been the black beast of SC Braga. The minhoto badge has been feared by everyone in the NOS League in recent seasons, but the Incarnates are the team that performs best against the Miners and takes a psychological advantage.
And neither does Jorge Simão have any more positive ratings against the National Champion, who in the 1st round of the League, still in charge of Chaves, was defeated by Rui Vitória. The incarnate victory leaves little doubt, even in the Quarry. Victory of SL Benfica!
-Right bet: Vitória do SL Benfica, rated at 1.75 at betworld
-Bet risk: There will be more goals in 1st half, rated at 3.10 in betworld
-Crazy bet: SL Benfica scores 3 or more, valued at 3.65 at betworld