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

The visitors head into the weekend fresh off the back of ending a run of six consecutive league matches without a win and will be looking to build on that result.

Match preview

Braga maintained their charge for their first-ever Taca de Portugal as they fought back from two goals down to secure a 3-2 victory over Vitoria de Guimaraes in Wednesday's last-16 clash.

In a frenetic final 10 minutes at the Estadio Braga Municipal, a brace from Spanish forward Abel Ruiz and Vitinha's 82nd-minute efforts saw the hosts overcome a two-goal deficit and claim a thrilling victory.

Braga have now won three consecutive matches across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and keeping two clean sheets since their 5-0 humbling against Sporting Lisbon in the December's Taca da Liga quarter-final clash.

Os Arcebispos now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they are currently on a run of five wins from their last six matches since early October — with a 1-0 loss against Casa Pia on November 6 being the exception.

Artur Jorge's men have picked up 11 wins, one draw and lost three of their 15 matches so far to collect 34 points and sit second in the league standings, six points behind first-placed Benfica.

Boavista, on the other hand, kicked off the new year on the right foot as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gil Vicente when the sides squared off at the Estadio do Bessa last Sunday.

In a game where American defender Reggie Cannon received his marching orders, Yusupha Njie netted the only goal of the game in the 21st minute to hand the visitors their ninth defeat of the season.

Prior to that, Petit's side were on a four-game winless run across all competitions — claiming two draws and losing twice — and had failed to taste victory in six consecutive Primeira Liga games since the start of October.

With 20 points from 14 matches, Os Axadrezados are currently eighth in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with Rio Ave and Chaves, albeit with one game in hand.

While Boavista will be looking to secure successive league wins for the first time since September, they have struggled for results away from home, where they are on a three-game losing streak in the league and have managed just one in seven outings across all competitions since September.

Braga Primeira Liga form:

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Braga form (all competitions):

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Boavista Primeira Liga form:

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Boavista form (all competitions):

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Team News

Ruiz turned in a performance of the highest quality to fire Braga into the next round of the Taca de Portugal and the Spanish forward should spearhead the attack once again.

He should be joined in the final third by Iuri Medeiros, Andre Horta and in-form forward Ricardo Horta, while Uros Racic and Mutassim Al-Musrati retain their roles in midfield.

As for Boavista, Petit will be unable to call upon the services of Cannon, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card against Gil Vicente last time out.

In his absence, veteran centre-back Vincent Sasso should come into the fold, teaming up with 28-year-old Rodrigo Abascal at the heart of the defence.

On the injury front, Filipe Ferreira has missed the last eight matches through a muscle injury and is out of contention for the trip to the Estadio Braga Municipal.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Gomez, Niakate, Oliveira, Sequeira, Medeiros, Racic, Al- Musrati; A Horta, Ruiz, R Horta

Boavista possible starting lineup:

Bracali; Reis, Abascal, Onyemaechi; Malheiro, Makouta, Perez, Mangas; Lourenco, Bozenik, Njie

We say: Braga 3-1 Boavista

Boavista are in for a tough 90 minutes at the Estadio Braga Municipal, where Braga are currently on a run of five consecutive victories in all competitions. Jorge's side are currently in solid form and we are backing them to see off a Boavista side who have lost each of their last three away games in the league.

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