Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
All eyes will be on Estadio D. Afonso Henriques when Vitoria Guimaraes and Braga face each other in the Primeira Liga round 21. Guimaraes suffered a shocking 3-2 loss to Vizela at the weekend, but despite the defeat, they remained in 6th place in the standings. Brazil attacker Bruno Duarte is pushing for a start, while both Mumin and Sacko are back from international duty. You should know that Pepa’s troops are eyeing their sixth home win of the process.
Braga, on the other hand, aim to build on back-to-back wins over Sporting and Moreirense. Considering that the visitors will go for a win in Saturday’s clash as well, we believe that there is a big value in betting on both teams to score. A man to watch in the away team will be Ricardo Horta, who has recently been compared with Liverpool ace Diogo Jota by head coach Carlos Carvalhal.
Highlighted Player (Rafa Soares):
Born in Marco de Canaveses, Portugal, Rafa Soares is a professional footballer who plays for Vitoria Guimaraes as a left-back. Rafa is a product of the Porto football academy, but he did not see any game action in Primeira Liga with the Dragons.
After scoring eight goals in 61 appearances with Porto B, the Portuguese defender spent a couple of seasons on loan at Academica, Rio Ave, and Fulham. In 2018 he played for Portimonense, but nowadays, he wears the number 5 shirt at Vitoria Guimaraes. Rafa Soares has nine caps with the Portugal U21 team, but he has yet to earn a call-up for the Portugal senior team.
His primary position is left-back, but he is used as both left midfielder and left winger as well. Rafa’s preferred foot is left, and he has a contract with Vitoria Guimaraes until June 2021. Rafa Soares made his Primeira Liga debut against Academica back in January 2016, during his spell with Vitoria Setubal.
Highlighted Team (Braga):
Braga are a Portuguese club that have always been in the shadow of Primeira Liga giants Porto, Benfica and Sporting. Os Minhotos were founded on 19 January, 1921 and they originally played in green and white kits. After the World War II they changed their kits to red and they have been wearing red shirts and white shorts ever since.
Braga play their home games at Estadio Municipal de Braga, the stadium that was opened in December, 2003. Os Minhotos have yet to win the Primeira Liga title, but they finished the 2009/2010 campaign in second position in the standings, just five points behind champions Benfica.
In 2011 Braga participated in the Europa League final, but fellow Portuguese outfit Porto proved to be a big catch for Os Minhotos. Anyhow, that is regarded as the club’s biggest success. Vitoria de Guimaraes are considered Braga’s bitter rivals and the two teams face each other in the Minho derby.