Estoril Praia will host Sporting Braga at the Estádio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Saturday in the 30th round of the 2024-25 Primeira Liga campaign. The hosts have nothing to play for but would fancy their chances of getting a result against one of the league's top sides. Estoril were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Famalicao last weekend, marking the fifth time they have dropped points in their last six games. The hosts only narrowly escaped relegation last season but have been much better this term as they sit ninth in the table, 16 points clear of the relegation playoff spot with five games to go.
Sporting Braga have much more on the line as they would need a win this weekend in their hunt for European qualification and as many points as they can get in the final games of the season to potentially confirm a top-three finish. The visitors picked up their fourth win in five games with a resounding 4-1 victory over AVS last weekend and will be hoping to continue in that fashion on Saturday.
Saturday's game will mark the 60th meeting between the two sides. Estoril have won 19 of their previous meetings, while 10 have ended in draws and Braga have won the remaining 30. Estoril are winless in the last 14 editions of this fixture, with their last win over Braga coming in the 2015-16 season. The visitors have a remarkable goal scoring record against Saturday's hosts, with 24 goals scored across the last 10 editions of this fixture.
Estoril came back from two goals down to get a draw when the sides met earlier this season in December. Only three teams in the Portuguese top division have conceded more goals than Estoril’s 46 after 29 games played. Braga have scored more goals in the league this season (49) than every team except Sporting, Benfica and Porto.
The Canarinhos are underdogs going into the weekend and will need to improve on their poor form to avoid defeat against one of the most in-form teams in the league. The Archbishops will be confident to get a result as they are the better of the two teams. They have also been the dominant side in this fixture of late and should win here.
Prediction: Estoril Praia 1-2 Sporting Braga
Estoril Praia vs Sporting Braga Betting Tips:
Tip 1 - Result: Braga to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Over 2.5 goals (Nine of the hosts’ last 10 games have featured more than 2.5 goals scored)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes (Both sides have gotten on the scoresheet in four of their last five matchups)
Meanwhile, relegation-threatening AVS will welcome Casa Pia to the Estadio do CD Aves on Saturday, April 19, 2025. With just 15 points left to fight for in the season, Casa Pia are free from relegation, but AVS are still in the relegation pool and will need all the points in this game to keep their heads up.
AVS's hope of avoiding relegation this season has become a significant concern, as nothing seems to be moving them out of the relegation zone with five games remaining in the season. They are currently 16th on the table with 23 points in 29 games, having scored 22 goals and conceded 48. They have lost their last five games and have managed just two wins in their previous 24 games, securing only one win in their last eleven home games.
Lucas Piazon missed the last two games of this team, Gerson Rodrigues was sidelined due to an injury he sustained during his international duty with Luxembourg, and Gustavo Amaro Assuncao is suspended. Rui Ferreira will continue with the 4-2–3-1 formation with Guillermo Ochoa manning the goalpost. AVS will look to turn around their fortunes as they prepare for this crucial fixture.
On the other hand, Casa Pia suffered a 1-0 loss to FC Porto in their last game to extend their winless run to five in their previous six games. On the road, they are winless in their last five. The Geese are 8th on the table with 40 points in 29 games, having scored 34 goals and conceded 37. With just 15 points left to fight for in the season, they are free from relegation and also out of any European competition contention.
João Pereira will be without the experienced defender and team captain, Jose Fonte, due to the defender's suspension. Fahem Benaissa-Yahia will likely replace him in the starting lineup. Duplexe Tchamba, Kiki, and Claudio Mendes are all out of the squad to travel to Vila das Aves.
The history of head-to-head meetings between AVS and Casa Pia suggests a competitive matchup. AVS have lost their last five games, and remain winless in nine of their last ten games. Casa Pia are winless in four of their previous six games and their last five on the road.
Prediction: A goalless draw is expected for the AVS vs Casa Pia match on April 19, 2025. One betting tip is for Leeds United to win the first 45 minutes at 1.82 odds on 1xbet. Another betting tip is a draw at 3.10 on Bet365. The final prediction is Both Teams To Score-NO for 1.77 odds on Betway.
