Benfica vs Braga Predictions

• Benfica have failed to win three of their last six matches in all competitions
• Braga have lost only one of their last 10 games in all competitions (eight wins, 1 draw)
• Benfica fans abused and intimidated their own players during Monday’s win at Farense

Eagles facing flak from their own fans

All is still not well at Benfica, who could come unstuck against Sporting Braga on Saturday. Despite virtually locking up second place in the standings with their 3-1 win at Farense on Monday night, the Eagles players still copped a fair amount of flak from their fans.

Coach Roger Schmidt was struck by a bottle throw from a section of the travelling support, who were not shy in voicing their displeasure at how the season has panned out.

Benfica could face a bit more of the same when they return to Estadio da Luz to take on Braga, who are gunning for third place and direct entry into next season’s Europa League group stages.

Arsenalistas are capable of causing a stir

The Arsenalistas are in good form after winning eight of their last 10 games in all competitions and losing only once in that span – a shock 3-0 home reverse to Arouca. That was interim coach Rui Duarte’s first game in charge and things have returned to normal since then with victories over struggling Estoril and Vizela.

Braga will be without striker Abel Ruiz through injury while winger Roger Fernandes has been demoted to the reserves, but their losses may be balanced by the potential absence of key Benfica defensive midfielder Joao Neves.

He is nursing an eye injury and could miss out with Florentino Luis on standby to replace him. Benfica have a deep enough squad to beat Braga for a fourth time in a row, but the visitors are capable of causing enough problems of their own. Backing Braga to avoid defeat makes sense in the current inharmonious circumstances around the Lisbon club.