Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
After rolling over TSC 3-0 in the Champions League qualifier, Braga will look to kickstart their Primeira Liga campaign in fashion when they face Famalicao on Friday evening. Braga were producing fine performances in preseason and it is no wonder the bookies see them as hot favourites to win the opener. Alvaro Djalo is pushing for a start after sealing the victory against TSC, while there are no fresh injury worries in the home team.
Meanwhile, the visitors defeated Chaves 1-0 in their last warm-up game, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Braga, who have turned their stadium into a real fortress. Adding to the challenges for the visiting team, midfielder Theo Fonseca will be sidelined for the opening match of the season due to an ACL injury. You should bear in mind that Braga crushed Famalicao 4-1 in their last encounter at the venue.
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 (Famalicao):
Founded on August 21, 1931, Famalicao are a Portuguese football club that compete in the Primeira Liga. The colour of their home kit is white, with the team wearing blue shirts and blue shorts when playing on the travels.
Famalicao welcome their rivals at Estadio Municipal 22 de Junho Vila Nova de Famalicao, the venue with the capacity of 5,307 people. The stadium was opened in 1952 and ever since has been serving as the team’s home ground. Famalicao are owned by Quantum Pacific Group, the company which has a 32% share of famous La Liga side Atletico Madrid as well.
The Azuis e Brancos secured promotion to Primeira Liga for the first time in the 1946/1947 season and they returned to the Portuguese elite division in 2019. Famalicao recorded a 2-0 win over Santa Clara on their return to the Portuguese top flight, with Toni Martinez and Anderson finding the net for the visitors.