Braga vs Santa Clara Match Analysis and Prediction

4 years ago 845

Braga will be looking to extend their winning streak to three matches across all competitions when they welcome a struggling Santa Clara to Braga Municipal for the final Primeira Liga matchday 24 tie on Monday night with kickoff at 23:15.

Braga have made an impressive Primeira Liga with the club recording 13 victories, five draws and five defeats from 23 matches to collect 44 points, which have left them sitting fourth in the standings, some seven points below the top-three while are 14 above the sixth-placed Vitoria SC.

Carlos Carvalhal’s side head into the match in a fine Primeira Liga form as they have only lost one of their last five league matches claiming four wins in the run and are coming off back-to-back wins claiming a 2-1 triumph against Pacos Ferreira before overcoming Tondela 1-0 at away in their previous top-flight match with Ricardo Horta sealing the deal for Braga.

Braga did well to knock out Sheriff Tiraspol in the knockout playoffs of the Europa League following a 3-2 win after penalties last Thursday night. Tiraspol claimed a 2-0 victory in the first leg at home but Braga equalized in the second leg carrying the game into extra time and eventually penalties.

Meanwhile Santa Clara have made an inconsistent campaign this season and they failed to find their feet again last time out as they were involved in a share of the spoils following a 1-1 draw against Portimonense at home last Monday.

They have now gone three matches without a victory in the Primeira Liga picking up two draws and losing one since claiming back-to-back wins over Moreirense and Boavista.

With 25 points form 23 matches Santa Clara sit in 12^th with five points above the relegation zone while are two points outside the top-half of the table. Therefore, Mario Silva’s side will be looking to bounce back to winning ways as they aim at climbing into the top-half and increase the gap between themselves and the drop zone.

However, they are coming up against a side they have only beaten in two of their last nine meetings while failing to win in their last consecutive four.

Braga vs Santa Clara head to head

Both sides have met in 12 encounters since 2003 with Braga claiming seven victories while Braga have claimed two victories and there have been three draws.