Braga vs Maritimo Predictions

• Braga have scored exactly three goals in each of their two Primeira Liga games this term.
• Braga’s last home game finished 3-3 at full-time.
• Maritimo have conceded seven times across their two games this season, but scored one goal each time.
• Braga striker Simon Banza has scored five Primeira Liga goals in his last three appearances.

Bank on Braga to add to Maritimo misery

Bank on Braga to keep things open at both ends when they host Maritimo in the Primeira Liga on Sunday. The Archbishops are an attacking force to be reckoned with this season under new coach Artur Jorge, hitting three goals in both of their league games so far.

They haven’t yet shown they can cope without David Carmo, who held their defence together last season before being snapped up by Porto this summer. And that’s why Maritimo’s best option might be to attack rather than sit back and await their fate at the Quarry this weekend.

The Greatest of the Islands remain pointless after two games, but they came to play at champions Porto on opening weekend and got royally spanked 5-1. A 2-1 home defeat to promoted Chaves was a setback last weekend and it could make them desperate enough to force the issue here.

Banza’s goal bonanza makes him a great anytime play 

The Braga dangerman this season seems to be Simon Banza, who arrived from Famalicao after hitting 14 league goals in 27 games last term – a very good strike rate for a forward not with a big three club. Banza has bagged five times in his last three top-flight appearances and looks great value at around the 8/5 mark to get his name on the scoresheet again.

The main play, though, has to be Braga to win with three or more goals in the game. Maritimo’s defence just doesn’t;t look up to the task of keeping the hosts quiet. Abel Ruiz, who looked to be a main player last season, is waiting in the wings for his chance up top if Banza loses form.

A 3-1 Braga victory is forecast for Sunday’s meeting because Jorge’s men are oozing goals at the moment while Maritimo showed with their goal at Porto, and an xG of more than 2.1, they can get on the scoresheet too – for a fourth straight away league game.

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