Santa Clara vs SC Braga — Tips & Analysis

Santa Clara +0.5: Santa Clara have been the story of the Portuguese season, and we are happy to back them to stay with Braga here. They sit fourth on 14 points from six games and have won 8 of their last 15. At home they have won 5, tied 1 and lost 1, scoring almost 2 goals a game and letting in under a goal a game. Braga are a good side but not a runaway one. They have won 7, tied 5 and lost 2 of their last 14. On the road they have tied four of their eight games and score just over a goal a game. That points to a controlled, physical game on São Miguel rather than a shootout. Both teams defend well and both will take a point if the first goal is not theirs. Santa Clara are without Sorriso, who is suspended after a red card, and MT with a knee injury. Braga have captain Ricardo Horta back in contention, but Sekou Niakate is still out. A 1-1 is the most likely finish, and Santa Clara keeping this tight is exactly what we want. The danger is history. Braga have won 11 of the last 19 meetings between these two, so a clean away win is no shock at all. We still think this Santa Clara team is good enough to stay with them.