Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Braga
Match Time & Date:
14/08/2021
03:30 PM
Prediction: 1-1
Sporting
There will be fireworks when Braga and Sporting CP face each other at Estadio Municipal de Braga in the Primeira Liga derby. The reigning champions started the defence of their title with a 3-0 win over Vizela, meaning that they are high on confidence ahead of Saturday’s showdown. The club chiefs did well to keep hold of key players in the summer transfer window, and it is no wonder the Lions are seen as hot favourites to win their first away game of the season.
A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be Pedro Goncalves, who scored a brace in the season opener, while both Mendes and Porro are likely to miss the game with injuries. Braga, on the other hand, defeated Maritimo 2-0 on the road in the opening match of the season. Considering that the Reds are tough to beat at home, share of spoils is on the cards in the Primeira Liga derby. Defender Sequera, who limped off with injury in the triumph over Maritimo, should be fit to face Sporting.
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 (Sporting):
When it comes to official club members, Portugal giants Sporting Lisbon are the sixth club in the world. Commonly referred to as Leoes which is Portuguese for Lions, Sporting Lisbon were founded in 1906 and are one of the founders of the Primeira Liga.
Sporting’s main rivals are Benfica, with both teams contesting the Lisbon Derby, one of the most fierce ones in Europe. Lions play their games at Estadio Jose Alvelade in front of 50,000 people and are the third most successful club in the country with 46 titles in Portuguese competitions and a title in the European Cup Winner’s Cup from 1963-64.
During this time that is also known as the club’s golden years, Sporting Lisbon won the majority of their 18 Primeira Liga titles in total. Sporting Lisbon boasts the quality football youth academy system which has yielded world-class footballers such as Paulo Furte, Simao Sabrosa, Nani and Ballon d’Or winners Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.
