Boavistavs.Braga

A marginal 1-0 victory over Casa Pia sealed maximum points for Os Axadrezados but they must play at an even higher level against a side that have typically dominated this fixture.

Match preview

Despite defeating Casa Pia last weekend, Boavista will be aware of the magnitude of Sunday's task against Braga in gameweek two.

Winless against this weekend's opponent since December 2021, Cristiano Bacci hopes the hosts end an ongoing five-match league sequence without beating their visitors.

Three of those five have been losses, with Boavista conceding eight goals and scoring one in both fixtures against Braga last term, with the corresponding fixture ending 4-0 for the away side.

Beating Casa Pia ended Os Axadrezados' five-month wait for a league victory after nine fixtures without success dating back to early March.

Bacci will hope that his players take positives from maximum points and a first clean sheet since late March to end their wretched run against Sunday's visitors.

There has been some early-season upheaval at Braga, with Daniel Sousa departing after last week's 1-1 draw with Estrela to be replaced by Carlos Carvalhal.

The 58-year-old's first game in charge was a 2-1 victory over Servette in Os Arcebispos' Europa League qualification match in Geneva.

After being held to a 1-1 tie in gameweek one, Braga seek to return to winning ways in gameweek two, keen to extend their dominant run against Boavista.

It remains to be seen how next week's Europa League encounter against Rapid Vienna distracts Carvalhal's men, but the new manager will want his team to take it one game at a time and notch three points for the first time this season.

Having done the double against Boavista last season, the away fans will hope their side keep that run going this weekend.

Boavista Primeira Liga form:

W

Braga Primeira Liga form:

D

Braga form (all competitions):

W

W

D

D

W

Team News

Augusto Dabo was part of Boavista's squad last weekend, but the versatile wide defender is touch-and-go for Sunday.

Robert Bozenik may have fired blanks last time out, but last season's nine-goal man aims to open his account this season.

Miguel Reisinho outshone last season's top scorer by converting a late penalty and the attacker looks to double his tally this weekend.

Braga's Joao Moutinho went off injured after 17 minutes against Servette and the experienced 37-year-old could sit out Sunday's match.

The former Wolves player's seeming injury means he joins Paulo Oliveira out injured, with the defender absent since pre-season.

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Goncalves; Gomes, Abascal, Onyemaechi, Ferreira; Silva, Camara, Vukotic; Reisinho, Bozenik, Agra

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Mendes, Arrey-Mbi; Niakate, Marin; Marques, Carvalho, Zalazar; Horta, El Ouazzani, Bruma

We say: Boavista 1-1 Braga

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