Sporting Lisbon vs Braga Predictions

• Sporting have won their last five games by two or more goals.
• Sporting have won their last six and are unbeaten in nine.
• Braga lost 4-2 in the reverse fixture.

Sporting can keep hold of top spot

Sporting’s title defence looks set to go to the wire as they are locked on 65 points with Lisbon rivals Benfica ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.

Monday’s opponents Braga look to be a tough test on paper as they sit in fourth spot and arrive seeking to extend a three-game winning run, which includes a home win over Porto.

However, Sporting have a good record against the visitors and the best angle could be backing the hosts to cover a -1 handicap.

The Portuguese champions have won each of their last six games and they’ve won their last five by at least two goals. They beat Braga 4-2 away earlier in the season, and they thrashed Os Arcebispos 5-0 when these sides met in the corresponding fixture last season.

Braga arrive in good form but their results on the road have been less impressive, with just one win in their last four trips (D1, L2). Braga have only scored two goals during that four-game run and they’ve lost 3-0 at the likes of Benfica, Roma and Olympiakos this season, so Sporting could win with a bit of room to spare.

A 3-0 home win is the pick as Braga have struggled for goals on the road and Sporting have scored exactly three goals in four of their last five games. The standout bet for this game is an anytime effort for Viktor Gyokeres, who comes into the clash in sensational form.

The Swedish striker has eight goals and two assists in his last five games and has either scored or assisted in eight consecutive fixtures across all competitions – and he can extend his scoring streak against Braga.