Bragantinovs.Juventude

The hosts sit in seventh place with 12 points, while the visitors are two points behind in 12th heading into this affair.

Match preview

Bragantino could not build on their win over Gremio, as they fell 2-1 to Atletico Mineiro at the Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid on matchday seven.

This was their first loss in a competitive home match since January 31 (a 1-0 defeat to Palmeiras in Paulista A1) and the first time they have lost a league game from a leading position this season.

Lucas Evangelista put RB Bragantino ahead in the 25th minute, but two quick goals from Atletico Mineiro's Matias Zaracho and Paulinho before half-time saw the hosts trailing. The game finished with the same scoreline but not without drama, as both sides ended with ten men after Eduardo Sasha and Rodrigo Battaglia were sent off in stoppage time.

Pedro Caixinha's men have lost and drawn two games apiece in their last five, winning just one. They will be hoping to avoid a second home defeat of the season when they host Juventude on Saturday.

Previous meetings between the two sides have been evenly balanced, with each team winning four times and one draw in nine meetings. However, Braga hosted the last game between the two sides in 2022, securing a 1-0 victory courtesy of Helinho's first-half strike.

Newly-promoted Juventude have made a decent start to life back in the Brasileiro, picking up two wins, four draws and just one defeat so far, while remaining unbeaten in their last four matches.

Juventude settled for a 1-1 draw with Vitória in their last league outing, as Willian Oliveira's own goal cancelled out Rodrigo Sam's earlier strike for Roger Machado's men.

Three points could propel Juventude into the top six depending on other results, but either way, they will be hoping to put pressure on those above them.

However, the visitors are winless on the road in the league, with the 5-1 defeat to Botafogo a stark reminder of their away struggles.

Bragantino Brasileiro form:

W

D

D

L

W

L

Bragantino form (all competitions):

L

W

W

D

W

L

Juventude Brasileiro form:

W

L

D

D

W

D

Team News

Braga will be without forward Sasha, who was sent off in the defeat to Mineiro and Jose Hurtado, who is away on international duty with Ecuador.

On the injury front, Nathan Camargo is the only absentee as he is currently sidelined with a knee issue until later this month.

Caixinha is expected to stick with the same attacking trio from the last match, consisting of Thiago Borbas, Helinho and Henry Mosquera.

The visitors will be without goalkeeper Renan Dos Santos, and midfielder Kleiton, who are both out injured until later this month.

They could also be missing Edson Carioca and Jean Carlos for a second straight match due to a thigh and ankle injury respectively.

Bragantino possible starting lineup:

Cleiton; Jadsom, Santos, Candido, Capixaba; Evangelista, Fernandes, Ramires; Borbas, Helinho, Mosquera

Juventude possible starting lineup:

Gabriel; Ewerton, Sam, Boza, Ruschel; Conti, Jadson; Marcelinho, Nene, Barbosa; Farias

We say: Bragantino 2-1 Juventude

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