Braga vs Monaco Predictions

• Fewer than three goals have been scored in the last five Braga matches in all competitions.
• Fewer than three goals have been scored in five of the last seven Monaco matches in all competitions.
• Fewer than three goals have been scored in four of Monaco’s six Europa League games and four of the last six for Braga.

Braga and Monaco clash could be respectful affair

Braga and Monaco have both been guilty of showing their opponents too much respect lately and if it happens again, this Europa League last-16 first leg could turn into a non-event. Braga began so passively against Sheriff Tiraspol in the playoff round that they gave the Moldovans enough encouragement to take a 2-0 first-leg lead.

When they had to attack from the first whistle in the return leg, Carlos Carvalhal’s side produced the sort of football that Sheriff couldn’t handle until they levelled the aggregate and waited for penalties. Like many Portuguese teams, they seem to play with bags of confidence at home and take none of it on their travels, so it will be interesting to see how they approach this clash with Monaco.

The Ligue 1 side have the better squad and bigger budget, so will expect to get through over the course of two legs. Monaco were unbeaten in the group stage under former boss Nico Kovac, scoring in each of their six fixtures. New coach Phillipe Clement has achieved some mixed results with the players since taking over in January, arguably his best coming last weekend with the 1-0 away win at Marseille.

Badiashile and Carmo can nullify attackers

A huge part of that backs-to-the-wall victory was returning rock Benoit Badiashile in defence and his presence in Monaco’s line-up again ought to mean fewer chances for the opposition. Braga have shown more defensive composure themselves since the January arrival of David Carmo, so we feel this could be a low-scoring scrap.

Fewer than three goals have been scored in the last five Braga matches in all competitions and the same can be said about five of the last seven Monaco matches too. The most recent European results of both clubs also suggests an ‘unders’ outcome here.

Given Monaco managed to grab a 1-0 win at Marseille last weekend, we cannot ignore their claims to outlast any Portuguese onslaught here too and note the fact that Braga failed to score in the home leg of their last two Europa League knockout ties prior to this season.