Can league leaders Porto overcome the threat of third-placed Sporting Braga?

Braga facing huge challenge against Porto’s remarkable defense

With just five matches remaining in the 2011/12 edition of the Portuguese League, it certainly looks like it will come down to the wire for the top three.

After making it to the Europa League final last season, Braga will play yet another decisive match against Porto this weekend. Last weekend, Braga saw a certain draw slip away in extra time as the ‘Guerreiros’ allowed title candidates Benfica to get a last minute victory.

Braga has had incredible runs in the previous two or three seasons, but they always just fall short. They have established themselves as one of the big four clubs in Portugal, and a win this weekend would put more emphasis on that.

After Bruno Cesar’s last minute goal at the Estadio da Luz last weekend to drop Braga into third place, Braga’s view on this weekends clash has changed drastically. While a draw against Benfica would have left the ‘Minhotos’ in second place, just one point behind Porto, instead they now sit third and trail the leaders by two.

League leading goal scorer Lima will look to add to his 19 goals this weekend against the leagues best defense. While Porto have only conceded 17 times this season, they also possess the best offense along with Benfica with 56 goals scored.

League leaders Porto poised to maintain momentum

On the other side, a moralized FC Porto squad will be looking to keep their form and pull away from the rest of the pack. Last weekend the ‘Dragoes’ managed three points at home against Olhanense, in a match where the visitors never looked to cause any threats.

With captain Hulk falling off of form as of late, FC Porto have looked to Colombian International James Rodriguez to help pull the strings. Rodriguez has been a key piece to Porto’s puzzle this season having scored 12 times in the current domestic campaign. Meanwhile newcomer Marc Janko has contributed with three goals of his own to help Porto stay a top of the league.

This weekend’s match could not only dictate a new first place team, but could also be an additional motivating factor for the remainder of the season. If Braga could manage to grab three points, the Portuguese League would be in complete chaos.

The top of the Portuguese league table ahead of Matchday 26:

Players To Watch

Lima will be Bragas main threat for the Porto defense on Saturday, but will the Brazilian striker be up for the challenge? With just five matches remaining, Lima would not only like to help move his team into first place, but he’d also like to add to his goal tally.

His pace and mobility behind the opposing backline will undoubtedly cause issues for Porto’s center backs who will more than likely be Rolando and Otamendi. With the crowd behind him and a high intensity match, Lima will have to prove that he is a player that is prepared for the big moments in football.

For Porto, Hulk will be a player that will be closely watched. He has been cautioned a few times as of late for what the refs believed to be diving in the opposing penalty box, something that has not left the Porto administration happy.

Hulk will have the responsibility as team captain to carry his team forward and help them secure first place. It will be interesting to see if Porto coach Vitor Pereira will use James Rodriguez and Hulk out wide, giving his team more width and pace on the outside, creating space for Lucho Gonzalez to cause havoc down the middle.

Prediction

Porto are currently in first place in the league. They are arguably the best footballing club in Portugal. However, it has to be said that Braga currently play some of the most attractive and fluent football in the country. Will the beautiful passing game be enough for Braga to secure three points in front of there fans, or will the hard working Porto side pull away in first?

I see this match being a hard-nosed midfield battle, with majority of the chances coming from set plays. Both teams will look to feel the opponent out, and not take to many risks. There will certainly be controversy, and in the end I see a draw.

Braga 1-1 Porto