Sporting Braga set to frustrate Sevilla
Sevilla definitely hold the experience advantage over their Champions League qualifying opponents Sporting Braga, having reached the knockout stages of the competition last season, whereas the Portuguese side lost a Europa League preliminary tie to Elfsborg.
The Rojiblancos have plenty of momentum too after coming from behind to beat Barcelona at the weekend in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana, however successive victories should prove beyond the Copa del Rey winners.
Sporting Braga had an incredible home record in 2009-10, winning 14 and drawing one of their 15 at the Estadio Municipal de Braga, conceding just six goals in the process.
Sceptics will argue that you can't read too much into domestic home form when judging a European encounter, but Benfica's was identical and they beat the likes of Everton (5-0!) and Liverpool in the Europa League.
Braga's 3-0 thumping of Celtic in the last round and a 3-1 opening day triumph over Portimonense to go top of the table, in addition to extending their unbeaten run as hosts to 20 games, provided further evidence that last season was no fluke, and that Sevilla shouldn't be backed at [2.52].
Goalkeeper Eduardo may have left over the summer but main goal-getter Albert Meyong (pictured) is still at the club, as are Brazilian stars Mossoro and Alan, while they have added the likes of Uwa Echiejile and Leo Fortunato to the squad.
Braga's price looks too generous to ignore at [3.15], though as [3.25] outsiders to reach the group stage, the first leg will undoubtedly be tight. Sevilla's most common margin of defeat in 2009-10 was 2-1 and we fancy a repeat at [12.5] to leave the encounter delicately poised.
Sporting Braga v Sevilla
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Live on ITV4
Got any bets lined up for this game? Let us know below...
Published: 18 Aug 2010
Jimmy Junaidi (August 18, 2010 12:18 PM) said:
I wouldn't risk to bet a team that play against a side that has ever beaten barcelona 3-1 in spanish super cup.. Barcelona is the best european team in my opinion.. Even not in full team, they are better than braga.
Maybe the best bet for champions league today is on FC Basel vs Sheriff Tiraspol. Over 1.5 goals in first half.
With odds of 2.7..
That's really surprising for me..