Real Madrid vs Sporting Braga Betting Preview & Prediction
When is Real Madrid vs Sporting Braga on and what time does it start? Real Madrid vs Sporting Braga will take place on Wednesday 8 November, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Real Madrid vs Sporting Braga? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Real Madrid vs Sporting Braga on in the UK? Real Madrid vs Sporting Braga will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Real Madrid vs Sporting Braga in the UK? Real Madrid vs Sporting Braga can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
REAL MADRID
With a perfect start of three wins from three in Group C, Real Madrid can book their passage to the round of 16 here and they are overwhelming favourites to do just that against a Braga side they defeated two weeks ago.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have lost just one of their 15 competitive games this season, which came against city rivals Atletico, and recently claimed an El Clasico victory over Barcelona thanks to the exploits of the superb Jude Bellingham.
SPORTING BRAGA
Sporting Braga are very much still in the mix for qualification for the knockout stages but defeat here would certainly make it difficult for them, especially if Napoli defeat Union Berlin in the other Group C fixture on Matchday 4.
The Portuguese side recorded their biggest win of the season on Saturday, with their 6-1 victory over Portimonense surely giving them some confidence ahead of this tie.
THE TEAM NEWS
REAL MADRID
Jude Bellingham picked up a minor shoulder injury over the weekend and, with Los Blancos in such a commanding position in the group, the English star may not be risked here.
Ferland Mendy missed the draw with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday but is expected to return to the starting line-up here, but Fran Garcia is ready to fill in if needed.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-1-2): Arrizabalaga; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Bellingham; Joselu, Vinícius Júnior
UNAVAILABLE: Courtois (Injured), Éder Militão (Injured), Tchouameni (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Ceballos (Injured), Bellingham (Injured), Mendy (Injured)
SPORTING BRAGA
With no injuries or suspensions to report, Artur Jorge is blessed with a full roster of players for this fixture and has plenty of decisions to make when it comes to his starting line-up.
One player who is sure to line up is striker Simon Banza, who helped himself to a hat-trick in Primeira Liga action over the weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Matheus; Cristian Borja, Paulo Oliveira, José Fonte, Victor Gómez; Al Musrati, Zalazar; Álvaro Djaló, Ricardo Horta, Bruma; Banza
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Braga can surely take some confidence from the fact they competed well with Real Madrid two weeks ago, and ultimately only lost by a one-goal margin, but this is likely to be an altogether different contest at Santiago Bernabeu. Real haven't lost at home in any competition since April, and haven't tasted defeat on home turf in the Champions League for over a year-and-a-half. It seems unlikely that they will do so here, with a comfortable win expected for the 14-time winners.
TIP: REAL MADRID TO WIN WITH -1.5 HANDICAP.
