SC Braga – Gil Vicente

Portuguese football has grown on us. To be honest, when we first decided to get to know it better, there wasn't much that appealed to us. But then we changed our perspective, and suddenly we saw a league full of passion, attacking intent, and high quality.

Because at first glance, the low goal average may indicate a lack of willingness to attack. But we quickly found out that it is due to a combination of elaborate attacking play and sacrificial defensive play. Because they want to attack, but it often takes a little too long, and thus they face a team in balance. And when it comes to sacrifice, you just have to put your pocket money on cards and free kicks, if you can find odds on it, because this is abundant in this league. And perhaps especially here, where we are going to a local match.

SC Braga – Best in town

Although this match is not as big as the Minho derby, when Braga meets Vitoria Guimarães, it is still the little brother from the west who comes to visit. Because while the two mentioned belong to the Minho region, we find Gil Vicente in Barcelos. 20 minutes west. So here you expect a sold-out away section, with the associated high temperature.

Because it might be a good time to face Braga. They have consolidated their position at the top of Portuguese football, but they have never managed to break into the top 3. That has happened, and they can also beat Sporting, Benfica and Porto now and then, but they remain a notch behind. And if they are to manage to rise, they cannot give up points against teams other than these three. Not against teams like Rio Ave and AFS, as they have done this year.

But of course; 2-2-0 would have been acceptable in every other country, and by every other team, but not here. There is such a big difference at the top and bottom. And that means this match must be won. Both because Braga is already lagging behind, but just as much because it is a local match. And that is exactly why it was such a bad fit that their talisman is injured.

For Ricardo Horta, he is the very personification of modern Braga. With nine seasons at the top for the red-greens, he has seen players come and go, but he himself has stayed. And he has delivered goals and assists on a regular basis. So also this year. Before the injury came.

Fortunately, there are several who can contribute, and especially Amine El Ouazzani, who came from Guingamp before last season, has started well. And with the eternally young Joao Moutinho (39 years old) in central midfield, Braga will create chances. They have 10 goals in four games, and against their neighbors there could be more.

Gil Vicente – with confidence in his luggage

Little Gil Vicente, named after the great writer of the same name, has been a yo-yo team in recent years. And in a league where there are often many potential relegation teams, this year's season opener could prove to be very crucial.

The away team is in many ways a typical Portuguese team. They are stingy at the back with their two goals in four games, they are not very poisonous up front with only four goals in four games and they love to incur cards and free kicks. In fact, they have already received four more than today's home team.

But the season has started well, as I said. They are one point behind the hosts in the table, and 2-1-1 is really impressive. Especially considering that the loss came against Porto, and that there were only two goals conceded in that match. So here we will definitely see an even more sacrificial group, who will run out onto the mat in the knowledge that they can pass their big brother in the table with a victory. That's worth bleeding for.

Conclusion – more exciting gaming options

Given the low goal average, you can often find good odds on goals in this league. But you should be careful where you place your money. Because it is perhaps only Vitoria Guimarães and Arouca that regularly deliver goals beyond the aforementioned top teams. But that is exactly why you can consider over 1.5 goals for the home team at 1.62. I have no faith that they will stop beating if they get their neighbor to the ground.

But the good start to Gil Vicente, and perhaps especially the good defensive start, scares me a bit. And the fact that it is a local match. And it doesn't help that Ricardo Horta is injured. And that's exactly why we won't be landing on goals today. But rather corners.

Because, as previously mentioned, the Portuguese teams go on the attack. It just takes a little time. And then they often meet a team with enough people behind the ball, and the goals fail. And there is much to suggest that Gil Vicente will do everything they can to always be balanced. Then Braga may quickly be forced to try from distance, or to put the ball into a back space that does not exist. That will result in corners. Especially if the first goal is delayed.

The season opener suggests that this has been the theme for these teams. Braga has only faced teams that are somewhat similar to today's opponents (AFS, Rio Ave, Tondela and Alverca), and the result is an average of 7 corners per match. These are strong numbers, and only Sporting produces more. In addition, we know that Gil Vicente is one of the teams that gives away the most corners with their average of 6 corners. This suggests that both teams will continue in the same style as they started. And then you have to take advantage of the good odds that are available;

Portugal at 21:30: SCBraga – Gil Vicente: Over 5.5 corners to Braga (1.70)

Should you bet with a bookmaker that does not offer as good odds, or does not offer odds on corners, you can consider the following bets;

Portugal at 21:30: SCBraga – Gil Vicente: Braga -1 Asian handicap (1.80)

Portugal at 21:30: SCBraga – Gil Vicente: Braga -3.5 corners (2.00)

Portugal at 21:30: SCBraga - Gil Vicente: Over 1.5 goals for Braga (1.62)

Portugal at 21:30: SCBraga – Gil Vicente: Braga -1.5 (2.40)

And remember; if odds come up on cards/free kicks, we'll jump on it. And when they do, we'll inform you about it in Discord. So join us there, for both live betting and socializing with like-minded people. Join us here .