Leixoes will host Sporting Braga at the Estadio do Mar on Saturday in another round of the 2024-25 Taca de Portugal campaign. The home side have performed well in the Portuguese second tier this season and will be looking to replicate similar showings in the domestic cup on Saturday.
They beat Guarda FC 1-0 in their tournament opener back in September with Andre Andre scoring a late winner from the spot. They were then drawn against Alcains in the next round and picked up a narrow 2-1 victory with Rafael Martins and Paulite getting on the scoresheet in either half before their opponents scored a consolation goal.
Sporting Braga, meanwhile, played Dezembro in the previous round of the Taca de Portugal taking the lead midway through the first half via a Rodrigo Zalazar strike and were then pegged back in the second before veteran midfielder Joao Moutinho scored a brilliant free-kick at the death to secure a 2-1 win for the Archbishops.
The visitors thrashed Portimonense 4-1 at this stage of the competition last season and will hope they can find similar luck here as well.
Leixoes vs Sporting Braga Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Saturday's game will mark the 35th meeting between Leixoes and Braga. The home side have the better record in this fixture winning 17 of those games while the visitors have won 11 times with their other six matchups ending in draws.
- The two teams last faced off in a friendly clash back in July 2018 which the hosts won 2-1.
- Braga are undefeated in their last four competitive games in this fixture.
- Os Bebes have picked up 13 points on home turf in the Liga Portugal 2 this season, the joint-most in the competition so far.
Leixoes vs Sporting Braga Prediction
Leixoes have won three of their last four matches and have lost just two of their last eight. They have won their last four home matches and will be looking to test their mettle against top-flight opposition this Saturday.
Braga's latest result ended a four-game unbeaten streak and they will now be looking to bounce back here. They have had their struggles on the road in recent games but are the stronger side ahead of the weekend clash and should win this one.
Prediction: Leixoes 1-3 Sporting Braga
Leixoes vs Sporting Braga Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Braga to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Over 2.5 goals (Five of the hosts' last six matches have produced more than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: YES (Both sides have found the back of the net in seven of the visitors' last eight matches)