Braga vs Nacional Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Braga had a strong season last time out, but their hopes of making the Champions League spots were hurt by the changes to the Primeira Liga. The Portuguese top flight saw their spots in Europe’s biggest competition reduced to just two, meaning that the country’s big three were fighting out for that huge prize money. It also left Braga needing to beat two of those giants – in this case Benfica and Sporting – to second. That was an uphill struggle, so despite good displays, Braga secured a fourth place finish.

The hosts are looking for slightly better this season, and they kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw in the Europa League on Thursday. They drew 1-1 in Ukraine, and now they return to domestic action as the new Primeira Liga season gets underway. The hosts are up against newly promoted Nacional, who face a difficult fight for survival in the top flight this term. The side based on the island of Madeira have got to be wary of the problems neighbours Maritimo have faced in travels to the mainland.

It’s even worse for Nacional this weekend, who face one of the top sides in Portugal. We see the visitors struggling in this trip, as it’s a really difficult way to return to the league. They face a Braga side who have been in fantastic form in preseason, and we expect the hosts to build on that with a strong start. Like the rest of the Primeira Liga’s top teams, Braga were fantastic at home last season. That’s a record they need to keep up, especially against a side who are likely to struggle to stay up this term.

Braga lost twice at home to the top two, but otherwise they were fantastic at home. They won 14 of 15 matches otherwise, including a victory over Sporting. That form brought them 2.5 points per game, and we see them building on that great return this season. The bookies have made the hosts the clear favourites going in to this clash, and we can see why.

We’re looking a little bit more value on Braga here, and we think the best way to go is with a home win to nil. Braga conceded just 0.59 goals per game at home last season, keeping a clean sheet in over half of their matches. They won every game at home in which they kept a clean sheet, and they managed to win to nil in six of their meetings at home to the bottom eight. We expect Nacional to be in and around there this season, so a home win to nil feels like a big boost in value in our eyes.