Looking to carry their momentum from before the international break, Braga resume their Primeira Liga campaign this weekend as they welcome Arouca for a matchday 27 clash.
The Archbishops, having secured back-to-back victories, sit fourth in the standings with 53 points, level with third-placed Porto but trailing on goal difference.
Match preview
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Braga appear to have rediscovered their rhythm, responding to their setback at Rio Ave with successive 1-0 victories over Porto and SC Farense.
While the first triumph was sealed early on, their most recent outing required patience, with Gabri Martinez‘s 70th-minute strike proving decisive in securing a hard-fought three points.
Casting an eye over a longer stretch, Carlos Carvalhal‘s side have been in formidable form, with a goalless draw against Vitoria de Guimaraes and that defeat to Rio Ave standing as the only blemishes in their last 11 league matches.
Their dominance has been particularly evident on home soil, where they have won four consecutive games while keeping clean sheets in each.
Braga will be confident of extending that streak, especially against an opponent they have beaten seven times in their last eight meetings, shutting them out in five of those victories.
However, their most recent home encounter with Arouca ended in disappointment, as the visitors claimed a 3-0 victory last term — the only blemish in the aforementioned eight-match stretch — an outcome the hosts will be keen to avoid as they push for a higher placement in the table.
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Arouca, on the other hand, will be aiming for back-to-back away wins over Braga for the first time, having secured their maiden victory at the Estadio Municipal de Braga with that emphatic result last season.
However, their recent inconsistency casts doubt on their ability to repeat that feat, with the Wolves managing just one win in their last six outings, the latest being a 1-1 draw against Estoril Praia before the break.
After seeing a run of three consecutive draws end in disappointment with a defeat to Porto, Arouca responded with a 1-0 victory over AVS, courtesy of Tiago Esgaio‘s dramatic 89th-minute strike, but Gonzalo Garcia‘s side were on the receiving end of a late goal in their next outing.
The Lobos looked set for consecutive victories when Morlaye Sylla fired them ahead early, only to suffer a crushing blow as Alejandro Marques netted a stoppage-time equaliser from the penalty spot.
That outcome leaves Arouca 13th in the standings with 29 points from seven wins, eight draws and 11 defeats, sitting six points above the relegation playoff spot, and they will aim to put more daylight between themselves and danger with a positive result this weekend.
Team News
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Vitor Carvalho and Roger Fernandes remain sidelined for Braga, meaning Joao Moutinho and Jean-Baptiste Gorby are expected to partner in midfield.
Rodrigo Zalazar is set to assume a more advanced role, operating behind Fran Navarro, while Ricardo Horta is likely to shift to the left wing.
However, Amine El Ouazzani could challenge Navarro for the number nine role after his solid display last time out.
For Arouca, David Simao has suffered a tibia injury and will miss the rest of the season, with Pedro Santos, who recently earned a Portugal Under-21 call-up, poised to replace him.
Alex Pinto is expected to come in for Esgaio at right-back, while Jason Remeseiro should be deployed in an advanced role in place of the injured Pablo Gonzalbez.
Meanwhile, Dylan Nandin was forced off in their last match, so Henrique Araujo is in line to lead the attack in his absence.
Braga possible starting lineup:
Hornicek; Gomez, Oliveira, Bambu, Chissumba; Horta, Moutinho, Gorby, Martinez; Zalazar; Navarro
Arouca possible starting lineup:
Mantl; Pinto, Fontan, Lamba, Weverson; Santos, Fukui; Trezza, Jason, Sylla; Araujo
We say: Braga 2-0 Arouca
With Braga in fine form and boasting a flawless recent run at home built on defensive resilience, they are well-positioned to claim victory in this encounter, with another clean sheet looking a strong possibility.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
