Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Santa Clara
Match Time & Date:
14/02/2021
12:30 PM
Prediction: 2-2
Braga
Estadio de Sao Miguel will host Sunday’s football game between Santa Clara and Braga. Santa Clara aim to build on a 2-1 win over Maritimo, and they are eager to extend their unbeaten run in the Primeira Liga to five games. Daniel Ramos’ troops aim to move closer to the Europa League berth, but they face an uphill task on Matchday 19. Talented midfielder Romao remains in the recovery room, but he should be the only absentee in the home team.
Braga, on the other hand, came from two goals behind to share the spoils with Porto in their last league match. The visitors aim to regain their spot in top two, and seeing that both sides are likely to go for a win in Sunday’s clash, we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score. Nico Gaitan, who scored the equalizer in the 2-2 draw with Porto, is pushing for a start.
Highlighted Player (Fabio Cardoso):
Fabio Cardoso is a Portuguese defender who was born in Agueda (Portugal) on April 19, 1994. Cardoso started his youth career at his hometown club Agueda, but in 2008 he continued his development at Benfica. After scoring three goals in 55 appearances for Benfica B, he spent the 2015/2016 season on loan at Pacos Ferreira.
In the summer of 2017, he signed a four-year deal with Vitoria Setubal, but he spent only one season at Estadio do Bonfim. Cardoso joined Scottish club Glasgow Rangers in June 2017, signing a three-year contract with the club for a fee of around £1.3 million.
The Portuguese defender, though, made no more than 12 appearances for the Gers, joining Santa Clara in the summer of 2018. Fabio Cardoso has four caps with the Portugal U20 team, but he has yet to earn a call-up for the senior team. His primary position is a centre-back, but he is often used as a left-back. His preferred foot is right.
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.
