Our prediction for this Portugal League Cup match:
Braga welcome Ferreira at their Estadio Municipal de Braga in the Taca da Portugal round 2. Braga aim to kick off their League Cup campaign in great manner, and they are likely to leave their hearts on the field. Carmo is sidelined with injury, while Piazon is a major doubt, and he will be assessed ahead of the kick-off. All Sa, Oliveira, Moura, Horta, and Fabiano Silva are pushing for a start.
Ferreira, on the other hand, suffered a 2-1 loss to Boavista in their opener. The visitors are eyeing their third consecutive clean sheet in all competitions, but preventing Braga from scoring at home is easier said than done. In their last meeting at the venue the two teams played out a 1-1 draw, but we are tempted to put our money on the hosts. Both Pires and Vigario are out of contention with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Ricardo Horta):
Ricardo Horta is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Sporting Braga in Primeira Liga. Born in Sobreda, Portugal, on September 15, 1994, Ricardo Horta spent his youth career at Ginasio Corroios, Benfica, and Vitoria Setubal.
The 173-cm-tall winger continued playing for Setubal at the senior level, but he moved to Malaga in the summer of 2014, signing a five-year deal with the La Liga outfit. Ricardo Horta scored only one goal in 48 appearances for los Boquerones in the Spanish top flight before signing a loan deal with Braga. In July 2017, he signed a permanent contract with the Minhotos.
Ricardo Horta made his Primeira Liga debut against Rio Ave back in April 2013, during his spell with Vitoria Setubal. His primary position is left winger, but he is capable of producing good performances as a right winger as well. He made his Portugal debut in a 1-0 loss to Albania in the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Highlighted Team (Ferreira):
Founded on April 5, 1950, Pacos de Ferreira are a Portuguese football club who play their home games at Estadio da Mata Real. The venue can hold up to 9,077 people and it was opened in October 7, 1973. Os Castores are well known for their yellow shirts and green shorts, with the team wearing white and black kit when playing on the travels.
Pacos de Ferreira have yet to win the Primeira Liga trophy, but they did well to make it to the Taca de Portugal final in the 2008/2009 season. Os Castores faced Porto in the title game, with the Dragons attacker Lisandro Lopez scoring the only game of the match.
Two seasons later Pacos de Ferreira faced Benfica in the Taca da Liga final, with the Eagles lifting the trophy. Wolverhampton forward Diogo Jota is one of notable footballers who started their senior careers at Pacos de Ferreira.