Champions League
2012-11-07 - Sporting Braga vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Champions League
Wednesday 7 November 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Sporting Braga
Sporting Braga must have been in dreamland as they took a two goal lead at Old Trafford on match day 3 of the competition, but they failed to hold that lead and are now in a fight in this Group for qualification to the last 16. The side have been over-achieving in Portugal where they are just 3 points off the lead so confidence shouldn't be a problem in this one.
The defeat at Old Trafford means Braga remain in 3rd place in the Group as they have picked up just 3 points so far. With Manchester United already looking like they are going to take one of the qualification spots for the last 16, Braga are just 1 point behind Cluj and 2 points ahead of Galatasaray in the Group.
Braga have won back to back games since the loss to United at Old Trafford and that includes a 3-1 win over Gil Vicente at home over the weekend. The side had failed to win their previous 2 home games before that win over the weekend and they have also been beaten in their only home game in the Champions League by Cluj in a 0-2 loss. Braga have lost just 2 of their 7 home games in the Champions League.
Douglao should continue earning his place in the squad having returned from injury over the weekend, but Paulo Vinicius and Paulo Cesar are both ruled out.
Manchester United
After a couple of tough League games in a row at Chelsea and at home against Arsenal, many were expecting Manchester United to rest players for this game with the Champions League Group well and truly in hand. However, a strong squad has travelled to Portugal with the hope that they can earn the win that would not just book their place in the last 16 but virtually assure them of finishing top of the Group.
United were beaten at this stage of the Champions League last season and that has focused Sir Alex Ferguson in picking his strongest team and he has been rewarded with 3 wins from 3 games. The performances have been inconsistent, but United are 5 points clear of Cluj in 2nd place and a win here books their place in the last 16 while Cluj failing to beat Galatasaray will ensure United top the Group with 3 points here in Portugal.
Since losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, United are unbeaten in 7 games of which they have won 6. United are unbeaten in their last 6 games away from home in all competitions and they have scored at least 2 goals in each of those games, while winning 5 in a row before a 3-3 draw with Chelsea in the Capital One Cup that saw them eventually beaten 5-4 in extra time. United have won 4 of their last 6 away games in the Champions League, although only 2 of their last 4 since the beginning of last season.
Chris Smalling and Nick Powell have both travelled with a strong squad, although Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes have not joined the rest of the first team. Nemanja Vidic and Phil Jones remain sidelined and there should be some changes to freshen up the side in this game.
Head to Head
This will be the first time that Sporting Braga will be entertaining Manchester United in Portugal following their 3-2 loss at Old Trafford two weeks ago.
Prediction
I actually noticed that Manchester United had been on a bit of a drift earlier in the week as many were expecting a weakened squad to travel to Portugal, but it is clear that Sir Alex Ferguson wants to get this Group wrapped up so he can rest players in the final two games of the Group.
With the squad that is travelling to this game, I am expecting a strong United team to take the field and I think they will be much more aware of the strengths and weaknesses that Sporting Braga have after recovering from a 0-2 deficit to beat the Portuguese side at Old Trafford on match day 3.
I expect Braga will push forward in a bid to pick up a vital 3 points in this game and that could play into United's hands if they start with 2 wide men as expected and there are definitely goals in the away side.
It wouldn't be a huge surprise if Braga can once again get on the scoreboard as they were very threatening at Old Trafford, especially in the first half, but I am also expecting United to be too strong when it is all said and done.
The United price has settled at 2.25-2.30, but I am instead going to back them to win with at least 3 goals to be scored which is offered at 3.50. United have been scoring lots of goals on their travels as teams are forced to come out and attack them a little more and that may be the case again here in this one.
They have also kept just 1 clean sheet in their away games so far this season which suggests there is better value on taking them to win at the bigger price at is likely Braga score.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Sporting Braga 1-2 Manchester United
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Manchester United Win and at least 3 Goals Scored (Quatro) @ 3.50 (Ladbrokes)
