Braga vs Real Madrid prediction, odds, betting tips and best bets for Champions League group match

Protecting a perfect record after the first two matches of Champions League group stage play, Real Madrid hit the road to face Portuguese side Braga to conclude the first half of the slate.

Los Blancos were held in check by Sevilla over the weekend in La Liga, but maintained their spot atop the league table regardless, thanks to goal differential.

More goals are expected in this match between two teams prone to occasional defensive lapses, but who boast talented attacking styles. Madrid have yet to be held off the scoresheet in any game this year, while Braga have been the most back-and-forth side in the Portuguese league this year season.

This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams, as surprisingly Real Madrid have only faced three different Portuguese clubs throughout their long and illustrious history.

Braga vs Real Madrid match facts

• Date: Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023
• Kickoff Time: 9 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
• Location: Estadio Municipal (Braga, Portugal)
• Official: Michael Oliver (ENG)
• Last meeting: None (First meeting)

Braga vs Real Madrid prediction, odds

• Moneyline lean: Real Madrid (-200)
• Score prediction: Braga 1-3 Real Madrid

While Braga are a bright attacking side, scoring more goals than any other club in Portuguese domestic action thus far in the season, they've also conceded more goals than anyone else in the top eight of the Portuguese league table – proving they open themselves up to opposition attacks.

It's hard to see that being sustainable against such a quality side like Real Madrid, and it will be difficult for the hosts to keep up in front of goal.

Braga vs Real Madrid: best bet

• Pick: Real Madrid over 2.5 goals
• Odds: +120 (BetMGM)

This is a bad matchup for Braga, as their biggest strength is also Real Madrid's strength. For the Portuguese league team that loves to get into playing high-scoring matches, Madrid will be happy to oblige.

Since the start of September, according to UnderStat.com, Real Madrid have been held under 2.0 expected goals by just one opponent across seven La Liga matches – that understandably being Atletico Madrid. In their other two Champions League games, Los Blancos came out on top of Napoli in a 3-2 barnburner and loaded up on 3.8 expected goals against Union Berlin.

It's hard to see Braga having enough firepower to get past Real Madrid, who can and will score loads of goals against teams who are too open.

Braga vs Real Madrid prop bet

• Pick: Jude Bellingham anytime goal scorer
• Odds: +130 (BetMGM)

For a player who seems to be scoring in every big game and capitalises on every big chance he gets, it's incredible that Jude Bellingham remains just the fourth-most likely plzydf to score on Real Madrid by the oddsmakers.

Bellingham doesn't rack up a ton of opportunities, but it seems like every chance he gets on goal, he makes count. In a game where we expect Real Madrid to have loads of chances, Bellingham will almost surely be at the forefront of the attack.