Sporting Braga vs Pacos Ferreira Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Sporting Braga vs Pacos Ferreira on and what time does it start? Sporting Braga vs Pacos Ferreira will take place on Saturday 27th May, 2023 – 20:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Sporting Braga vs Pacos Ferreira? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Sporting Braga vs Pacos Ferreira on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either BT Sport or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Sporting Braga vs Pacos Ferreira in the UK? If televised on either BT Sport or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
Sporting Braga
Artur Jorge’s Sporting Braga come into this one on the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw with Boavista in their most recent outing, last weekend. However, due to Sporting conceded twice late on at home to champions-elect Benfica, it was enough to confirm a top three spot and means Braga will be in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Following the departure of Carlos Carvalhal and his intent on playing a ‘formation-less’ system, which did bring some impressive results, things seemed uncertain ahead of the season but they have overperformed expectations to break up ‘Os Tres Grandes’ (The Big Three) and finish above Sporting CP.
The hosts’ aforementioned 1-1 draw at Boavista means they have now suffered just one defeat in their last 13 matches in all competitions. That one defeat came away by a slender 1-0 margin at champions-elect Benfica at the beginning of this month.
Pacos Ferreira
Despite an impressive 3-1 victory at home to Rio Ave last weekend, Pacos de Ferreira were automatically relegated. Maritimo’s 1-0 win at home to Vizela was enough to keep the Madeira club three points ahead of Pacos Ferreira and, due to their better head-to-head rule, that is an unassailable lead in the relegation playoff place.
The visitors’ aforementioned defeat of Rio Ave was indeed an impressive performance and result. They led from the first minute of the match before conceding two minutes later but then secured a regrettably meaningless three points in the second-half.
That victory followed on from back-to-back to nil defeats against stiff opposition in Chaves and Sporting CP, which are losses that have ultimately condemned Pacos. In a very low-scoring league, to concede 59 goals is a key reason as to why the away team are going to fall into the second division.
THE PREDICTION
There has been an average of 2.47 goals per game throughout the 2022/23 Primeira Liga campaign. Despite it being one of the lower scoring leagues on the continent, Braga have remained one of the more proactive and entertaining sides in Europe's six major leagues. In their 33 games so far this season, they have notched 72 goals on their way to clinching third place. They have also conceded 30, making their goals per game average over three. Whilst they may rest and rotate ahead of the Taca de Portugal final against Porto next weekend, they will still be expected to come out on top against a Pacos de Ferreira side that have had their top-flight fate sealed.
TIP: SPORTING BRAGA TO WIN & OVER 1.5 GOALS
