Preview: Braga vs. Casa Pia - prediction, team news, lineups

The newly-promoted side, on the other hand, snapped their run of two consecutive league defeats last time out and will head into the weekend seeking to build on that result.

Match preview

Despite claiming a 2-1 victory over Malmo in their final group-stage outing on Thursday, Braga were sent crashing out of the Europa League as they finished third in Group D.

Ricardo Horta and Alvaro Djalo both found the target to put Artur Jorge's side on their way to all three points before 22-year-old Patriot Sejdiu pulled one back for the Swedish outfit.

However, Union Berlin's 1-0 victory over first-placed Union Saint-Gilloise in the other group fixture saw the Bundesliga side finish as group runners-up, sending Braga down to the Conference League.

Os Arcebispos now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they currently sit second in the league standings and have stamped their name as potential title contenders.

Braga have picked up eight wins, one draw and lost two of their 11 league matches this season to collect 25 points and sit six points adrift of first-placed Benfica.

Their fine start to the campaign has been down to the solid job done at both ends of the pitch as they have scored 27 goals while keeping seven clean sheets and conceding 10 goals so far.

Braga have also been solid on their home turf this season, where they are unbeaten in four of their five matches — claiming three wins and one draw — with a 1-0 loss against Chaves on October 9 being the only exception.

Casa Pia, on the other hand, returned to winning ways last Sunday as they saw off fellow newcomers Rio Ave 1-0 when the sides squared off at the National Sports Center of Jamor.

Following an uneventful first half, Nigerian forward Saviour Godwin came up clutch for the hosts as he scored the only goal of the game in the 66th minute to hand Rio Ave their third defeat in four matches.

Prior to that, Os Gansos were on a run of two consecutive league defeats, losing 1-0 against Vizela on October 9 before suffering a 3-1 defeat against Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade two weeks later.

For all their inexperience, Filipe Martins's men have been one of the standout performers this season as they sit fourth in the Primeira Liga standings, level on 20 points with fifth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Casa Pia head into the weekend on a run of just one defeat in their seven away games across all competitions this season, claiming four wins and one draw while scoring nine goals and keeping three clean sheets in that time.

Braga Primeira Liga form:

W

W

L

L

W

W

Braga form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

W

W

Casa Pia Primeira Liga form:

W

W

W

L

L

W

Casa Pia form (all competitions):

Team News

Having made an immediate impact off the bench against Malmo, 23-year-old Djalo could be rewarded with his first league start of the season, potentially coming in for forward Simon Banza, whose last goal came back in August.

He should be joined in the final third by Ricardo Horta, who has started each of Braga's 11 league games this season and boasts four goals and four assists to his name.

Sikou Niakate was an unused substitute against Malmo on Thursday but the French defender should return to the starting XI, forming a centre-back partnership with Vitor Tormena once again.

Meanwhile, Casa Pia remain without the services of 31-year-old striker Carnejy Antoine, who continues his long road to full fitness after suffering an injury back in July.

Joao Nunes, who has featured in nine of the 11 league games this season, came off at half time against Rio Ave in what was a tactical change and the 26-year-old defender should retain his role in the starting side.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Fabiano, Oliveira, Tormena, Sequeira; Medeiros, Castro, Al-Musrati, A Horta; Djalo, R Horta

Casa Pia possible starting lineup:

Batista; Varela, Fernandes, Nunes; Soares, Taira, Neto, Lelo; Kunimoto, Clayton, Godwin

We say: Braga 3-1 Casa Pia

Having kicked off their top-flight campaign on a fine note, Casa Pia find themselves in the upper echelons of the table and in the mix for a place in Europe. However, they face a significantly superior and more experienced Braga side who will be looking to make an immediate positive reaction following their Europa League exit. We predict an action-packed contest on Sunday with Braga coming out victorious.

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