Preview: Boavista vs. Braga - prediction, team news, lineups

While the hosts will be looking to keep themselves in the hunt for a top-half finish, Os Arcebispos currently sit four points above fourth-placed Sporting Lisbon with just two games to go.

Match preview

Boavista continue to struggle for results on the road as they were hammered 3-1 by Gil Vicente at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos last Friday.

Despite efforts from Sebastian Perez, Daniel Sousa's side simply ran away with it as Fran Navarro grabbed a brace before Murilo Souza put the result beyond reach with an 85th-minute penalty.

Boavista have now failed to win any of their last five away games, losing four and picking up one point from a possible 15 since February's 3-1 victory at Pacos de Ferreira.

However, Petit's men now return home, where they are on a run of three consecutive wins and are unbeaten in all but one of their nine matches this year, claiming five wins and three draws.

Boavista have picked up 40 points from 32 matches — two points more than last season's tally — to sit 11th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with Casa Pia and Vizela.

Elsewhere, Braga turned in a sensational team performance as they beat a resilient Santa Clara side 5-3 to all but secure their place in the Champions League qualifying playoffs.

In a goal glut at the Estadio Braga Municipal, Ricardo Horta, Sikou Niakate, Abel Ruiz, Bruma and Pizzi all hit the target to hand the visitors their 21st defeat of the season and leave them rooted to the bottom of the table.

Artur Jorge's side have now picked up six wins in their last seven Primeira Liga outings, with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Benfica on May 6 being the exception.

With just two games left to play, Os Arcebispos are currently third in the league standings, four points above Sporting Lisbon just outside the Champions League places.

Braga will now look to confirm their playoff ticket this weekend as they face a Boavista side against whom they are unbeaten in the last five league meetings between the sides, claiming three wins and two draws since a 1-0 loss in June 2020.

Boavista Primeira Liga form:

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Braga Primeira Liga form:

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Braga form (all competitions):

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Team News

Boavista remain without 23-year-old midfielder Masaki Watai, who will serve the second of his three-game suspension after picking up a straight red against Estoril Praia on May 6.

On the injury front, Nigerian midfielder Bruno Onyemaechi missed last week's trip to Gil Vicente through a muscle problem and is a major doubt for Petit's side.

As for Braga, Jorge will be unable to call upon the services of ever-present midfielder Mutassim Al-Musrati, who is currently recuperating from a muscle problem.

The Libyan international, who has started 27 league matches this season, is set to sit out his third straight game after coming off injured in the 4-1 win over Portimonense on April 29.

He is joined on Os Arcebispos injury table by veteran midfielder Andre Castro, who has missed each of the last six outings after picking up an injury in April's cup clash with Nacional.

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Bracali; Malheiro, Cannon, Abascal, Makouta; Ferreira, Perez; Gorre, Lourenco, Mangas; Bozenik

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Gomez, Niakate, Oliveira, Sequeira; Racic, Medeiros, Horta; Bruma, Ruiz, Horta

We say: Boavista 0-2 Braga

Braga have enjoyed a sensational campaign and are now three points away from a place in the Champions League qualifying playoffs. While Boavista will be looking to extend their solid home form, Braga boasts the firepower needed to get this one over the line and we fancy them coming away with all three points.

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