Champions League: Braga vs Real Madrid Odds & Preview
Champions League Group C Matchup
Real Going for Third Straight UCL Win
Real Madrid could only manage a 1-1 draw at Sevilla on Saturday and will look to get back in the win column when they head to Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday. Los Blancos have won their first two UCL matches and can stay on top of Group C with a midweek win. It won’t necessarily be straightforward, as Braga takes a five-game winning streak into Tuesday’s match. The Portuguese side fell behind 2-0 in their last UCL match but incredibly managed to defeat Union Berlin 3-2. In one of the Champions League matches of the week, let’s check out the Braga vs Real Madrid odds.
Braga vs Real Madrid
Day/Time: Location: Estádio Municipal de Braga, Braga, Portugal
Head-to-Head:
This will be the first opportunity to bet on the Braga vs Real Madrid odds in European competition. Braga has an all-time 2-1 record vs. Spanish teams in UEFA competitions. Meanwhile, Real holds an impressive 14-2-4 record vs. Portuguese teams in UEFA matches.
Braga on a Roll
In recent weeks, Portugal’s SC Braga has been a good pick for soccer betting. They’re on a five-game winning streak, in all competitions, and didn’t have a match over the weekend. Braga played last Thursday in the third round of the Taca de Portugal vs. fourth-tier side Rebordosa on a waterlogged pitch. Despite the rough conditions, Braga came away with a 2-0 victory to advance to the fourth round.
It was Braga’s first clean sheet since late August, as both teams had scored in their previous eight games. In the Portuguese Primeira Liga, Braga has gone 5-1-2 so far, which has been good enough for fourth place. They’ve scored the most goals in the league but conceded over 1.5 goals per game. Congolese striker Simon Banza has been key for Braga, as he’s averaged over one goal per 90 minutes in league play.
Ricardo Horta has managed five goals and two assists, while Alvaro Djalo has scored three goals and provided three assists. In their first two Champions League games, Braga has won one and lost one. They fell 2-1 at home to Napoli and pulled off a two-goal comeback in Berlin to defeat Union Berlin, 3-2. Bruma has scored in both matches and figures to play a role here, but defender Victor Gomez is injured.
Real Madrid On Top of La Liga and UCL Group C
Real Madrid were frustrated not to pick up all three points in Saturday’s match at Sevilla. Los Blancos had two goals called back, one for offside and one for a foul in the build-up. Real ended up falling behind as David Alaba scored an unfortunate own goal in the second half. Minutes later, Dani Carvajal scored an equalizer as the match finished 1-1. Regardless, Real Madrid ended the weekend on top of the La Liga table.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have also won their first two matches on the Champions League schedule. Jude Bellingham scored a stoppage-time winner in the opener vs. Union Berlin, which was the game’s only goal. Bellingham also scored in the 3-2 win at Napoli a few weeks ago, along with Vinicius Jr. The winning goal came on a ridiculous Fede Valverde longshot that was credited as Alex Meret’s own goal. The ball ricocheted off the crossbar, hitting Napoli’s keeper and going straight into the net.
Real are in an excellent position right now in Group C, and they’d have one foot in the knockout stage with another win. Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois remain out with long-term injuries, but Ancelotti has everyone else at his disposal. Bellingham has already scored 10 times, in all competitions, while fellow new arrival Joselu has five La Liga goals. Vini and Rodrygo haven’t scored as much as hoped, but they cause many problems for opposing defenses, no matter what.
Match Analysis & Odds
For Tuesday’s match, the Braga vs Real Madrid odds price hosts Braga at +475 odds. They’ve never taken on Real Madrid, and they’ll be motivated for one of their biggest home matches in recent memory. Real are -210 road favorites, and the Champions League has so often been their playground. Ancelotti has more midfield options than he can count, and there are plenty of multiple-time UCL winners on the roster.
Real -1 currently displays -125 odds, but both of their Champions League wins so far have come by a single goal. This won’t necessarily be a walk in the park for them, as Braga has proven to be a competitive side in recent seasons. Bettors can take Braga +1 at +105 and a draw at +375.
While both teams have scored in eight of Braga’s last nine games, Real have kept four shutouts in their previous seven. Over three goals are priced at -145 odds here.
For UCL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
