Benfica vs Braga Odds & Prediction – Portugal Primeira Liga Round 11

• Benfica and Braga matchup on Sunday, November, 7th
• The teams are third and fourth respectively heading into Round 11 of the Primeira Liga
• Read below for the latest injury news, odds and a prediction

Benfica and Braga face-off in Round 11 of the Primeira Liga. Benfica is one point off the top ahead of Sunday’s game at Estádio da Luz, while Braga sits in fourth spot just six points behind their weekend opponents.

Braga has just one top-two finish in its history. Benfica is the most successful Portuguese team of all time, and hasn’t finished outside the top three since 2007-08. Braga came third last season, however, and despite not being on a level playing field financially, they have been a difficult matchup for Benfica in recent years. Os Arcebispos have won three of four against their Sunday hosts

This is a huge match for both teams in pursuit of their respective aims. They were both in European action in midweek, but we’re unlikely to see any rotation from Jorge Jesus and Carlos Carvalhal.

Benfica vs Braga Odds

Odds as of Nov 6 at DraftKings

Team News

Benfica will welcome Nicolas Otamendi and Julian Weigl back into the XI after the pair sat out the midweek defeat to Bayern Munich. Jorge Jesus remains without several key first-team options, including Adel Taarabt, Haris Seferovic, Valentino Lazaro and Gil Dias.

Andre Almeida hasn’t played since October, 20th. There’s a chance he’s available on Sunday, albeit from the bench. There are unlikely to be any surprises from Jesus, who will persevere with Roman Yaremchuk up front despite the Ukrainian scoring just once in his eight starts for club and country.

📸 #FCBSLB #UCL #WeAreBenfica pic.twitter.com/NsuMGAvQDw

— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) November 2, 2021

David Carmo and Vitor Tormena are Braga’s only absentees. Carlos Carvahal has options in the final third with Vítor Oliveira and Mario Gonzalez competing for the central striking spot. Lucas Piazon was on the bench in midweek and could return to the lineup this weekend after missing a couple of weeks with a knock.

Recent Form

Braga has the edge in the form department. It’s one loss in 10 league matches so far this term, and they are on a run of seven wins and three draws since their last defeat in all competitions. Squad rotation and a change of shape didn’t slow them down in midweek as they thumped Ludogorets Razgrad 4-2 in the Europa League. That win followed a 3-0 dismantling of Portimonense.

Unstoppable!@carloscarvalha2 led his @SCBragaOficial side to another #EuropaLeague win to extend their unbeaten run to 🔟 games. 💥🔝 pic.twitter.com/gDkS0Dbor6

— 6Pointer (@6Pointer) November 4, 2021

Benfica has won only one of their last five in all competitions. There’s no shame in losing heavily to Bayern Munich, though conceding five continued a concerning defensive trend. It’s now just one clean sheet in seven matches for As Águias.

Failing to beat Estoril and mid-table Vitoria de Guimaraes doesn’t suggest they deserve to be so heavily favored for the visit of Braga. Where Carvahal’s side are full of confidence and have scored seven in their last two, Benfica are missing some important players and have looked unsettled in defense.

Benfica vs Braga Primeira Liga Statistics

Prediction

Given their recent form and their success against Benfica over the last couple of seasons, it’s very tempting to back Braga on the moneyline at such a long price. Benfica has more talent on paper even with their injuries, and they are generally very tough to beat at home, but they also lost their last league match at Estádio da Luz.

The porous nature of Benfica’s defense makes both teams to score a good value bet. Benfica’s inability to keep a clean sheet recently and their attacking prowess outweigh the recent history of this fixture (the last two matches ended 2-0).

Braga is clearly the team to back here. Goals seem inevitable, too. The +235 on a double and BTTS same-game parlay is too good to turn down.

Pick: Braga double chance and BTTS (+235)