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

The Arouquenses will head into the weekend looking to get one over the hosts, having failed to win any of the last 10 meetings between the sides since September 2014.

Match preview

Braga were handed a baptism of fire in the Conference League as they were hammered 4-0 at home by Italian outfit Fiorentina in the first leg of their playoff clash on Thursday.

In a game where defender Vitor Tormena received his marching orders, former Real Madrid man Luka Jovic netted a brace to put Vincenzo Italiano's men two goals up before Arthur Cabral struck twice off the bench to cap off a superb team display.

Os Arcebispos, who were initially eliminated from the Europa League, have nothing to lose heading into next Thursday's return leg and will hope for a miracle as they need five goals to turn the tie around and keep their European quest alive.

Before then, they must attend to business in the Primeira Liga, where they are seeking a third win on the spin following successive victories over Famalicao and Maritimo in their most recent two outings.

Braga have now picked up seven wins in their last eight league games since the second week in November — scoring 16 goals and keeping three clean sheets in that time — with a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Sporting Lisbon on February 1.

With 46 points from 20 matches, Artur Jorge's side are currently third in the Primeira Liga standings, two points off second-placed Porto but with a healthy eight-point lead over third-placed Sporting Lisbon outside the Champions League playoff spot.

Arouca, on the other hand, continued their pursuit for a place in Europe as they secured a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Santa Clara when the sides squared off last Saturday.

In a cagey affair at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca, Argentine forward Alan Ruiz netted the only goal of the game four minutes after the half-time interval to leave Os Acoreanos languishing in the relegation zone.

Prior to that, Arouca were on a run of three consecutive games without a win, picking up one draw and losing two, including a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sporting Lisbon in the League Cup semi-finals on January 24.

Armando Evangelista's men have picked up eight wins, six draws and lost six of their 20 matches this season to collect 30 points and sit seventh in the league table, three points off fifth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes in the final Conference League qualification spot.

While Arouca will be looking to record consecutive league wins for the first time since November, they journey to the Estadio Braga Municipal, where they have failed to win any of their last eight visits, losing six and picking up two draws since January 2014.

Braga Primeira Liga form:

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Braga form (all competitions):

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Arouca Primeira Liga form:

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Arouca form (all competitions):

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Team News

Braga will take to the pitch without the services of twenty-year-old defender Jean-Baptiste Gorby, who picked up a muscle injury in December's game against Pacos de Ferreira.

Other than that, Os Arcebispos boasts a clean bill of health, but Jorge could name a shuffled XI, with a few key players rested ahead of Thursday's Conference League showdown.

In contrast, Arouca head into the game with an injury-hit squad as the likes of Weverson (muscle), Rafa Mujica (muscle) and Vitinho (knee) are all recuperating from injuries.

Portuguese midfielder Tiago Esgaio came off injured against Sporting Lisbon on January 24 and the 27-year-old is out of contention for the trip to the Estadio Braga Municipal.

Experienced defender Sema Velazquez has missed the last 13 games through a severe injury and the 32-year-old will also play no part in Sunday's matchup.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Gomez, Oliveira, Niakate, Borja; Racic, Castro; A Horta, Pizzi, Djalo; Banza

Arouca possible starting lineup:

Arruabarrena; Milovanov, Basso, Galovic, Correia; Soro, Simao; Sylla, Ruiz, Antony; Dabbagh

We say: Braga 2-0 Arouca

While Braga have faltered to deceive in Europe, back home they have enjoyed a solid campaign and are currently seated in the upper echelons of the table. Jorge's side have won seven of their last eight Primeira Liga matches and we are backing them to comfortably see off an Arouca side who have struggled for results away from home.

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