Struggling hosts to lose again
Famalicao v Braga
Monday 15 March, 20:15
It's been a tough few years for Sunderland and their fans, but they won the Papa John's Trophy at Wembley yesterday with a 1-0 win over Tranmere. Our pal Tobias got the right result, but the winner arrived too late, as he needed the Black Cats to have a half-time advantage.
We're heading to Portugal, because in-form Braga have the chance to move into second spot with a win tonight at rock-bottom Famalicao.
Braga are having a superb season under former Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal - they are in the mix for Champions League qualification, they have reached the final of the Taca de Portugal (they'll face Benfica in the showpiece in May) and they got to the knockout rounds of the Europa League. They have won their last four league matches, including last weekend's comprehensive 3-0 win over Vitoria Guimaraes. Stretching back further, the Archbishops have won seven of their last eight top-flight matches.
Famalicao were mixing it at the top end at one stage last season, but those days seem a lifetime ago now. Coach Silas has been given the push after his team tumbled to the foot of the table after a run of two wins in 15 games. Goalscoring has been a big problem - Famalicao haven't scored a single goal in their last four home matches, and they haven't won at the Estadio Municipal since early November. They have lost four of their last six on home soil, and new coach Ivo Vieira has a fight on his hands to keep the club at this level.
Even though Braga are in good attacking form, I'll double up the away win with an Under 3.5 Goals bet at 2.1411/10 on the Sportsbook's Same Game Multi. Famalicao aren't scoring freely, and the last two meetings between the sides have ended 0-0 and 1-0 to Braga. 12 of Famalicao's last 13 league matches have stayed under the 3.5 goals line.