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

Having secured a comfortable 3-0 victory when the sides met in August's reverse fixture, Os Arcebispos will head into the weekend looking to complete a first league double over the visitors.

Match preview

Braga were sent crashing down to earth last Wednesday as they suffered a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Sporting Lisbon when the sides squared off at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

In a game where Sikou Niakate received his marching orders, goals from Marcus Edwards, Matheus Reis, Pedro Goncalves and a brace from Hidemasa Morita helped the hosts secure their 11th win of the season in style.

Prior to that, Artur Jorge's side were on a run of five consecutive victories across all competitions, including a 3-2 win over Vitoria de Guimaraes in the round of 16 of the Taca de Portugal on January 11.

With Porto's victory over Maritimo in the other gameweek fixture, Wednesday's defeat saw Os Arcebispos drop to third place in the Primeira Liga standings with 40 points from 18 matches.

However, Braga will be backing themselves to bounce back this weekend as they take on a Famalicao side against whom they are unbeaten in seven of their last eight meetings, losing three and claiming four draws since July 2016.

Famalicao, on the other hand, returned to winning ways last time out when they secured a narrow 1-0 victory over a resilient Estoril Praia side at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.

Following a relatively uneventful first half, Argentine midfielder Santiago Colombatto broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half to sink the Canarinhos.

Prior to that, the Vila Nova saw their four-game winning streak come to an end on January 15 when they were beaten 4-1 by Porto at the Estadio do Dragao before holding out for a goalless draw against Rio Ave one week later.

While Famalicao have put together a solid run in recent weeks, they have struggled to grind out results on the road in the league, where they have picked up just one win this season and hold the division's joint second-worst record with just five points from nine matches.

With 21 points from 18 matches, Joao Pedro Sousa's side are currently 12th in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with 11th-placed Rio Ave but could move level on points with eighth-placed Vizela with a win this weekend.

Braga Primeira Liga form:

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Braga form (all competitions):

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Famalicao Primeira Liga form:

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Famalicao form (all competitions):

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Team News

Braga will have to make do without ever-present centre-back Niakate, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card in last week's defeat to Sporting Lisbon.

In his absence, Colombian international Cristian Borja should come into the XI, forming the back three with Nuno Sequeira and Vitor Tormena.

On the injury front, French youngster Jean-Baptiste Gorby has been out of action since December through a muscle problem and will play no part in Sunday's matchup.

Meanwhile, Famalicao remain without the services of Portuguese forward Theo Fonseca, who has been sidelined since October when he suffered an ACL injury.

Off the back of a resolute defensive display against Estoril Praia, we expect Sousa to name an unchanged back four on Sunday, meaning Alexandre Penetra, Riccieli, Enea Mihaj and Francisco Moura should all start at the defensive end of the pitch.

Zaydou Youssouf and Colombatto should form the two-man midfield pivot, while former Benfica striker Jhonder Cadiz should spearhead the attack once again.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Sequeira, Tormena, Borja; Gomez, Oliveira, Al-Musrati, Racic; Ruiz, Banza, Medeiros

Famalicao possible starting lineup:

Junior; Penetra, Riccieli, Mihaj, Moura; Youssouf, Colombatto; Rodrigues, Jaime, Dobre, Cadiz

We say: Braga 2-1 Famalicao

Off the back of a humbling loss to Sporting Lisbon, Braga will head into the weekend looking to make an immediate positive reaction. Famalicao have proven tough to crack in recent weeks and we expect them to put up a fight. Nonetheless, Braga boasts the firepower needed to get the job done and we anticipate they will come away with a narrow victory.

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