Will the Portuguese make it exciting again?

So far, everything has gone according to plan for record winners Real Madrid in Group C of the UEFA Champions League. The Blancos have won all three of their group games and are now top of the table. Most recently, the Whites not only beat Italian champions Napoli 3:2, but also won the first leg in Braga 2:1. Consequently, the second leg between Real Madrid and Braga is also a good bet for a home win for the Spaniards

The Merengues have not yet played a home game against the northern Portuguese giants, but they have played ten international home games against representatives from Portugal, of which they have not lost a single match (nine wins, one draw). Nevertheless, the Real Madrid vs Braga prediction must take into account that the Braguistas would definitely have deserved at least a point in the first leg

In fact, Sporting Braga were at least on a par in the first leg. The Arcebispos not only fired more shots (16 to 13), but also had more ball contacts in the opposition penalty area (33 to 28) and a higher expected goals value than the Madrilenians (1.54 to 0.89). In the end, however, the Braguistas lost 2:1 at home, leaving them in third place in Group C.

In addition to a bet on Jude Bellingham’s next goal, which could also be placed via the handy Bet3000 app with a betting provider that does not charge betting tax, we like the Asian handcap of +2.0 on the northern Portuguese. This not only covers any points won by the visitors, but also any win by the Whites with a difference of just one goal, while a two-goal margin of victory would at least see the stake refunded.

Real Madrid – Statistics & current form

As record Champions League winners and Spanish record champions, it was very sobering for Real Madrid to be eliminated in the semi-finals of the top flight in 2022/23 as defending champions, while at the same time there was a ten-point gap to FC Barcelona in the final La Liga table.

The aim for the new season is therefore not only to win the league title again, but ideally also the 15th Henkel Cup. However, the Merengues currently only occupy second place in La Liga behind surprise team Girona

Three games, three wins and 6:3 goals

The Blancos won at least the Clásico, however, just as they won all three group games in the Champions League. In each case with a minimalist one-goal difference. Nevertheless, the Whites have nine points to their name and could now extend their lead over third place to nine points.

If Real Madrid’s betting tip 1 against Braga pans out, the Galacticos would be guaranteed a place in the knockout phase with two matchdays to go before the end of the preliminary round. Considering that the Spanish record champions have not lost any of their last eight Champions League home games (seven wins, one draw), the chances of a three-pointer are also extremely good

Always scored in the last 24 Champions League home games

The impressive form of Jude Bellingham, who could now become the first Real Madrid player ever to score in his first four Champions League games in a Blancos shirt, is not the only thing in favor of Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Overall, the Merengues have always been very prolific scorers at home in the top flight. In the last 24 Champions League home games, the Whites have scored every time without exception, averaging 2.2 goals per game. In Sunday’s dress rehearsal, however, they only managed a sobering 0-0 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.

Predicted Real Madrid line-up:

Braga – Statistics & current form

Sporting Clube de Braga have been struggling for some time to break into the elite circle of the three Portuguese flagship clubs FC Porto, Benfica Lisbon and Sporting Lisbon. As these three teams usually fight it out among themselves for the top three places, the Arcebispos have mostly been left with the Europa League.

However, as third in the 2022/23 season, the Braguistas can now participate in the top flight for the third time after 2010/11 and 2012/13. The last two attempts always ended in the preliminary round. This year, they would like to reach the round of 16 for the first time

Three points out of a possible nine from the first three group games

But there is still a long way to go. So far, the northern Portuguese giants have lost both home games against Napoli and Real Madrid 2-1, but at least managed to hold on to win 3-2 away at Union Berlin after trailing 2-1 at the break.

In principle, more could have been achieved, especially in the first leg against the Blancos, when Braga took more shots, had more contact with the ball in the opposition penalty area and ultimately also scored the higher expected goals. At times, however, Artur Jorge’s team also lacked the necessary determination

Fulminant 6:1 victory in the dress rehearsal

In the run-up to the second leg between Real Madrid and Braga, the odds are still against the Arcebispos picking up a point, although they have little to lose and could win two European away games in a row for the first time since December 2019.

The Braguistas already warmed up on Saturday with a brilliant 6:1 home win over Portimonense in the Portuguese top flight. Once again, however, the northern Portuguese side are only fourth in the table behind the three top teams after ten matchdays.

Predicted line-up for Braga:

Real Madrid – Braga head-to-head comparison / H2H record

Head to head: 1 – 0 – 0

The first leg two weeks ago was the only competitive match between the two teams to date. The 2:1 win in Portugal means Real Madrid lead the direct comparison against Braga. The Blancos have also never lost in ten home games against Portuguese clubs in European competitions (nine wins, one draw)

Real Madrid – Braga betting tip

At the moment, the betting odds for Real Madrid v Braga are heavily in favor of the Merengues, who lead Group C with three wins. However, it should be noted that the Blancos have won all three matches by just one goal difference. Most recently, they were actually the weaker team in the first leg in Portugal according to most performance-related figures. Accordingly, betting on a home win for the record Champions League winners is associated with a high risk, although we generally underestimate the royals as favorites

The forecast on the Asian handicap of +2.0 for Real Madrid against Braga is very interesting. This not only covers another one-goal win for the Spaniards, but also any points gained by the visitors. If the Merengues take a two-goal lead, the stake would also be returned.

Because the stake would only be gone if the Blancos win by at least three goals, which we think is very unlikely, we play the Asian handicap of +2.0 on Sporting Braga at Bet365 at odds of 1.85 with eight units