Braga can bounce back with an exciting win

Primeira Liga
6pm Sunday

Braga found champions Benfica too hot to handle on the opening weekend of the Primeira Liga season but they can respond with victory over newly-promoted Portimonense at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.

A trip to the Stadium of Light was always going to prove a tricky curtain-raiser for Abel Ferreira’s troops but they showed enough desire in their 3-1 defeat to suggest they should once again push for an European campaign.

Egyptian frontman Ahmed Mahgoub looked lively – he netted Braga’s consolation – and last season’s leading scorer Rui Fonte was a handful from the outset.

Last season Braga limped to fifth-placed finish – they won just one of their final six matches – but at home they were impressive and it’s a tall order for Portimonense, who are playing their first top-flight away match since 2011.

Only Benfica and Porto netted more goals than Ferreira’s men on their own patch last term and the hosts should prove too explosive for the new boys.

The visitors kept only five clean sheets on the road in the Segunda Liga last season and were defeated 2-1 on their trip to Braga B, suggesting this encounter could come a step too soon.

However, Portimonense got their campaign off to the perfect start with a 2-1 victory over Boavista and were more than worthy winners.

Vitor Oliveira’s side won the shot count 12-5, coming from behind with two second-half goals, and going forward is their strongest suit. Braga should win but it’s worth taking the lively visitors to grab a consolation.

Recommendation
Braga to win & both teams to score
1pt 13-5 general