Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Nacionalvs.Braga

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 September 2024, 21:05
Nacional and Braga get the action underway in round six of the Portuguese Primeira Liga when they go head to head at the Estadio da Madeira on Friday.

Having suffered their first league defeat of the season, Os Arcebispos will head into the weekend looking to bounce back and pick up a morale-boosting result ahead of their Europa League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Match preview

Nacional were sent crashing back down to earth in the new Portuguese Primeira Liga campaign as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Estoril Praia when the two teams squared off at the Antonio Coimbra da Mota.

Goalkeeper Lucas Franca strayed way off his line to clear the danger in the 19th minute but the loose ball fell into the path of Joao Carvalho, whose pinpoint effort from 35 yards out hit the target to inspire Estoril to all three points.

This followed a 2-0 victory over Farense on September 1, when Daniel Penha and 20-year-old Isaac scored either side of the half-time break to hand the Alvinegros their first win of the season.

Having secured promotion from the Segunda Liga last term, Tiago Margarido's men have struggled to impose themselves in the top flight and this has been owing to their defensive frailty as they have conceded nine goals already — only rock-bottom Farense (12) have shipped more.

Next up for Nacional is the daunting challenge of going up against an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in their last 15 encounters, losing 12 and claiming three draws since a 3-0 victory in October 2013.

Braga, on the other hand, were condemned to their first defeat of the season last Sunday when they were beaten 2-0 by Vitoria de Guimaraes at the Estadio Braga Municipal.

In a game where defender Bright Arrey-Mbi received his marching orders, Joao Mendes and Tomas Ribeiro scored in a seven-minute spell in the second half to hand Guimaraes a comfortable victory.

Braga had gone nine back-to-back games without defeat to start the campaign — picking up six wins and three draws — a run which has seen them secure a spot in the new-look Europa League group phase after a thrilling qualifying journey.

Carlos Carvalhal's men brushed aside Maccabi Petach Tikva and Servette to reach the playoff round, where they had to show their mettle in a nervy 4-3 aggregate victory over Austrian outfit Rapid Wien in August.

With last weekend's loss against Guimaraes, Braga have now failed to taste victory in their most recent three outings and Carvalhal will hope his side can find their feet this weekend ahead of their Europa League opener against Maccabi Tel Aviv on September 26.

Os Arcebispos will draw inspiration from their solid run of results away from home, where they are unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 matches, picking up eight wins and three draws since mid February.

Nacional Primeira Liga form:

D

L

L

W

L

Nacional form (all competitions):

D

D

L

L

W

L

Braga Primeira Liga form:

L

D

W

W

D

L

Braga form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

D

L

Team News

Nacional will have to cope without the services of 24-year-old defender Wilson Ulisses, who is currently suspended after receiving his marching orders against Estoril Praia.

On the injury front, Margarido will be unable to call upon several players down the spine of the team as Djibril Soumare, Joao Aurelio and Douglas Sequeira all continue their spells on the sidelines.

Brazilian defender Leo Santos will be assessed after picking up a slight injury in the game against Estoril last time out and the 25-year-old is also a doubt for this weekend's hosts.

As for Braga, Arrey-Mbi picked up a straight red card against Vitoria de Guimaraes last time out and the former Bayern Munich defender will serve the first of his three-game suspension this weekend.

In his absence, Watford loanee Paulo Oliveira should come into the fold, forming the back four with Victor Gomez, Sikou Niakate and Adrian Marin, with Matheus Lima staring between the sticks once again.

Os Arcebispos have their fair share of fitness concerns as Brazilian defender Robson Bambu and veteran midfielder Joao Moutinho have been ruled out through thigh and muscle injuries respectively.

Nacional possible starting lineup:

Franca; Garcia, Santos, Vitor, Gomes; Esteves, Dias, Penha; Appiah, Reis, Macedo

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Gomez, Niakate, Oliveira, Marin; Carvalho, Horta; Zalazar, Horta, Martinez; El Ouazzani

We say: Nacional 0-2 Braga

Braga will be licking their lips as they go up against a Nacional side against whom they are unbeaten in their last 15 encounters since October 2013. Margarido's men have struggled to find their feet in the big leagues and we fancy Os Arcebispos to come away with all three points.

Previews by email

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has reportedly not yet made a full recovery from the knock he suffered prior to the international break. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Xabi Alonso will hope that his Bayer Leverkusen side can return to winning ways when they welcome strugglers Heidenheim to BayArena in their 11th Bundesliga game of the campaign on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Wayne Rooney gives Romeo Montague a run for his money with wife Coleen revealing he writes her love poetry. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Six places separate Wolfsburg and Union Berlin in the Bundesliga table ahead of Saturday's gameweek 11 match at the Volkswagen Arena. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund have already fallen behind in the title race and will at least aim to stay within touching distance of the Champions League qualifications spots when they welcome Freiburg to Signal Iduna Park on Saturday in their 11th Bundesliga game of the campaign. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A crunch clash at the bottom sees Heracles and RKC Waalwijk go head to head at the Asito Stadium on Saturday evening in gameweek 13 of the Eredivisie season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Stuttgart sit a disappointing 11th in the Bundesliga table before welcoming cellar-dwelling VfL Bochum in Saturday's gameweek 11 action at the MHPArena. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford boss Thomas Frank has confirmed that Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will both be available for Saturday's Premier League away meeting with Everton. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica and Estrela Amadora return to action on Saturday when they go head to head at the Estadio da Luz in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal. 21 November 2024 talksport.com West Ham have sounded out former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic as a potential replacement for Julen Lopetegui, talkSPORT understands. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to move back into the top six of the League One table, Huddersfield Town will welcome Charlton Athletic to the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday. 21 November 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT's Ally McCoist has opened up about living with Dupuytren's contracture, an incurable hereditary condition that affects the hands. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Luton Town will welcome Hull City to Kenilworth Road on Saturday for a crucial game at the bottom end of the Championship table. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Martin Odegaard is everything for Arsenal - he's at the heartbeat of everything positive they do. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to go top of the Championship table with a fifth straight victory, Sheffield United will travel to take on Coventry City on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk RB Leipzig will aim to prevent the five-point gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich from extending by claiming all three points at Hoffenheim's PreZero Arena on Saturday. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt will hope to maintain their five-point advantage over Werder Bremen after hosting them on Saturday at Deutsche Bank Park in their 11th Bundesliga outing of the season. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Newcastle defender Lewis Hall says his lack of game time in the first-team left him 'in a dark place' last season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who could really do with a victory kick off round 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Go Ahead Eagles welcome Almere City to De Adelaarshorst on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Promotion-chasing Barnsley are favourites heading into Saturday's gameweek 17 League One match at Oakwell. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Feyenoord and Heerenveen will both be looking to pick up where they left off right before the international break in Saturday's meeting at De Kuip in matchday 13 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City officially announce that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a two-year contract extension. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Girona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga for the first time this season when they welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An in-form Las Palmas will be aiming to make it five wins from their last six matches in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign at home to Mallorca on Saturday night. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following four straight defeats leading into the international break, Aston Villa will return to action on Saturday, when Crystal Palace pay a visit to Villa Park. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly set a £100m asking price for Enzo Fernandez amid interest from Real Madrid. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Saudi Pro League action will return to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium this weekend when Al Khaleej play host to the defending champions Al-Hilal on Saturday evening. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Atletico Madrid will be aiming to make it five straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign against Alaves at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. 21 November 2024 talksport.com Robert Lewandowski is a mesmerising goal scorer, but it turns out that's not his only talent. 21 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace may be without two of their key creators when they kick off on Saturday afternoon, as an ailing Premier League campaign resumes away to Aston Villa.