FC Porto v Sporting Braga – Preview, Prediction, TV Listings, Betting Odds – Europa League – 18 May 2011
The UEFA Europa League final features two Portuguese sides as FC Porto faces Sporting Braga. The match will taka place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Kickoff is scheduled for 19:45 BST (UK time), 20:45 CET (Central Europe), and 14:45 EST (USA Eastern).
FC Porto v Sporting Braga TV Listings
It will be televised on GolTV (USA), SIC (Portugal), FIVE (UK), Sport TV1 (Portugal), Sky Sport (Germany), and on Al Jazeera Sport (Middle East).
FC Porto v Sporting Braga Preview
Porto manager Andres Villas-Boas
“At the end of the playoff match with Genk, when I took on the aspiration of winning the UEFA Europa League, I merely uttered something rather innate in light of FC Porto’s expectations and prestige. It was something that simply came out naturally to me.”
“I’m not concerned with any favouritism issues and won’t approach the issue. We merely hope, believe a great deal concerning our competence and Braga have placed a rather difficult and exciting challenge before us, as the teams that they defeated are indeed top European clubs.”
“Braga have had mind-blowing results, clearly demonstrating the extreme quality of both the coach and players, reaching this final on total merit. This is our challenge.”
“The time available to prepare for this crucial game was very limited. We have great confidence in the manner that we study our opponents, but most important is that we maintain our identity.”
“The 2003 victory was a milestone, which allowed for the consolidation of the club’s European history, but what happened in 2004 was very important and very difficult to repeat. If all goes well tomorrow, Dublin will ceaselessly remain memorable.”
“The coach’s job depends on the structure of the club and the quality of the players. In essence, we seek the best combination of such data.”
“Each team’s identity has brought them to the final. None of the teams have changed a lot over the games and I believe that neither team will lower their prestige on the way either approach the final.”
“Suffering is part of the game, and if Braga score, we’ll seek responding. The team are prepared in a very solid and defensive manner, hopeful in being competent and eager to avoid conceding goals.”
“I have no idea of what Domingos does to inspire his players nor do I know what kind of messages he passes onto them. What is indeed important to us is that our players believe the messages and work that we transmit onto them.”
Sporting Braga player Joao Moutinho
“I hope this time I manage to win the thing; we’ve worked hard all season for this.”
“I’ve spoken to some of the Braga boys who played alongside me in 2005 [Custódio, Hugo Viana and Miguel Garcia] – in fact, I’ve even made a friendly bet with Miguel Garcia. But we can’t compare what happened then with this final – then I was unable to win with Sporting, now I want a happy ending with Porto.”
“It could be a great match – there’s two teams who have had great seasons in Europe and who are now really motivated about achieving their goal
.”
Competition Stats
| FC Porto | Braga | |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | Radamel Falcao Garcia 16 | Osorio Costa Silva Alan 2 |
| Assists | Cristian Rodriguez 4 | |
| Yellows | João Moutinho 2 | Vandinho 3 |
| Reds | Francisco Reges Fernando 1 | Rocha Paulo Cesar 1 |
Next Matches
| FC Porto | Braga | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/18 | Braga | 5/18 | @FC Porto |
FC Porto v Sporting Braga Prediction
Porto wins 3-1
FC Porto v Sporting Braga Betting Odds
Porto win – 4/9
Draw – 16/5
Braga win – 13/2
