Braga and Benfica will look to close out the year in style as both teams square off at Estadio Municipal de Braga on Sunday in what is Primeira Liga matchday 16’s biggest fixture.
The two sides, who kicked off 2025 with a clash at Estadio da Luz, will now meet in the final game before the turn of the year.
Ten points separate the teams, with Braga sitting fifth and just one point outside the top four, while Benfica aim to close the gap on the top two, with Sporting Lisbon three points ahead and Porto eight points clear.
Our Braga vs Benfica prediction provides a clear outlook on this contest, with further Primeira Liga betting tips also available.
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Braga vs Benfica prediction: One last dance before 2026
Key stats:
- Benfica are yet to suffer a league defeat in their 15 outings this season (W10, D5).
- The Reds have won six of their seven away matches in the Primeira Liga this term.
- Braga have lost six of the last eight head-to-head meetings with Benfica (W1, D1).
Correct score prediction: Braga 1–2 Benfica
Braga enter this encounter following a 3–0 victory over lower-league side Caldas, which provided the perfect response to their Primeira Liga loss last Friday, ending a four-game winning streak in the league.
While the Archbishops aim to spark another impressive run in the top flight, they face a difficult task against a Benfica side that has won seven of their last eight games across all competitions (D1), the latest being a 1–0 win over Famalicao.
Trips to Braga have not produced recent fond memories for the visitors, and this one is unlikely to be straightforward, but Benfica should edge a hard-fought win given they have recorded victories in each of their last six away games across all competitions.
Pre-match odds: Visitors backed as favourites
- HOME: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 11/10 (2.10) – 47.6%
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and are subject to change.
The above odds suggest Benfica are favourites for the encounter, with a 47.6% probability of victory, while Braga’s likelihood of winning stands at 29.4%, and a draw is priced the same.
The most recent head-to-head meeting between Braga and Benfica was a 1–1 draw in May, the final game of the 2024–25 Primeira Liga campaign.
That is one of only two meetings in eight across all competitions in which Benfica failed to win, while their away struggles in the fixture are evident, with just one victory in the last six visits (D2, L3).
Portugal Primeira Liga 17/05/25
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Portugal Cup 26/02/25
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Portugal Cup 05/02/25
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Portugal League Cup 08/01/25
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Portugal Primeira Liga 04/01/25
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Braga preview: Key defender doubtful
Having been withdrawn just before half time last time out, Gustaf Lagerbielke’s availability for Sunday is uncertain. This could further limit options in defence, with Sikou Niakate away on international duty at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The hosts will also be without Amine El Ouazzani, who has missed each of the last three outings due to injury, while Jonatas Noro is expected to remain sidelined.
Predicted XI: Hornicek (GK), V Carvalho, Oliveira, Arrey-Mbi, Gomez, Moutinho, Gorby, Lelo, Victor, Navarro, Horta
Braga’s last five results:
- 23/12/25: Caldas 0–3 Braga (W)
- 19/12/25: Estoril 1–0 Braga (L)
- 15/12/25: Braga 1–0 Santa Clara (W)
- 11/12/25: Nice 0–1 Braga (W)
- 06/12/25: Famalicao 1–2 Braga (W)
Benfica preview: A host of absentees
Benfica also suffered a casualty in their most recent outing, with Tomas Araujo forced off against Famalicao, so his availability is uncertain.
Confirmed absentees include Dodi Lukebakio and Leandro Barreiro with ankle injuries. Henrique Araujo is nursing a muscle issue, while Bruma (Achilles tendon) and Alexander Bah (ACL) continue their recovery.
Predicted XI: Trubin (GK), Dedic, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl, Barrenechea, Rios, Aursnes, Sudakov, Prestianni & Pavlidis
Benfica’s last five results:
- 22/12/25: Benfica 1–0 Famalicao (W)
- 17/12/25: SC Farense 0–2 Benfica (W)
- 14/12/25: Moreirense 0–4 Benfica (W)
- 10/12/25: Benfica 2–0 Napoli (W)
- 05/12/25: Benfica 1–1 Sporting CP (D)
Player to watch: Vangelis Pavlidis
Vangelis Pavlidis has scored five goals across his last three league appearances, taking his tally for the Primeira Liga campaign to 14. The Greek striker, who currently leads the Golden Boot race, will be keen to add to that total.