Preview: Braga vs. Gil Vicente - prediction, team news, lineups

Having failed to win each of the last three meetings between the sides, the Gilistas will head into the weekend looking to get one over the hosts and end their run of three consecutive stalemates.

Match preview

Braga suffered a slip-up in their quest for Europa League qualification as they were held to a goalless draw by Rio Ave when the sides squared off at the Estadio dos Arcos last Saturday.

In a cagey affair at the Estadio dos Arcos, both sides were guilty of a lack of cutting edge at the attacking end of the pitch as they failed to truly threaten each other before settling for a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Os Arcebispos were on a four-game winning streak across all competitions — scoring 12 goals and keeping two clean sheets — a run which rekindled dreams of a top-three finish.

Arthur Jorge's men have now picked up 15 wins and five draws in their 25 Primeira Liga matches so far to collect 50 points and sit fourth in the league table, five points adrift of third-placed Porto in the Europa League qualifying spot.

Gil Vicente, on the other hand, were left red-faced last time out as played out a somewhat disappointing goalless draw with rock-bottom Chaves when the sides met at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos.

Despite seeing over 60% of the ball possession and being in the ascendancy for most of the game, the Gilistas failed to convert any of their clear-cut chances before settling for a point.

With that result, Vitor Campelos's men have now gone four consecutive games without defeat, picking up one win and three draws since losing three back-to-back games in February.

With 28 points from 25 matches, Gil Vicente are currently eighth in the Primeira Liga standings, level on points with ninth-placed Boavista heading into the final nine games of the season.

Next up for the Gilistas is the daunting challenge of taking on a Braga side who are unbeaten in 17 of their last 19 encounters, picking up 12 wins and five draws since August 2011.

While Gil Vicente will be looking to get one over Saturday's hosts, results on their travels offer little optimism as they have won just two of their 12 Primeira Liga away matches and have picked up the third-fewest number of points away from home (7).

Braga Primeira Liga form:

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L

W

W

W

D

Braga form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

W

D

Gil Vicente Primeira Liga form:

L

L

W

D

D

D

Gil Vicente form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

D

D

Team News

Braga will take to the pitch without the services of Spanish defender Adrian Marin, who has been out of action since picking up a severe knee injury against Porto on January 14.

Ricardo Horta missed the game against Rio Ave after coming off with a first-half injury versus Estrela Amadora on March 2 and the 29-year-old is also a doubt for Saturday's game.

As for Gil Vicente, Campelos will be unable to name Angolan striker Depu, who is currently suspended after picking up a late red card against Chaves last weekend.

On the injury front, 24-year-old defender Kiko Vilas Boas has been sidelined since coming off injured against Portimonense on January 22 and the 24-year-old will play no part in Sunday's game.

Portuguese forward Ze Carlos has missed each of Gil Vicente's last six matches since coming off injured against Benfica on February 4 and will play no part in this weekend's encounter.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Mendes, Saatci, Oliveira, Borja; Moutinho, Carvalho; Fernandes, Ruiz, Bruma; Banza

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Andrew; Pinto, Pereira, Fernandes, Buta; Dominguez, Gbane, Neto; Toure, Alipour, Correia

We say: Braga 2-0 Gil Vicente

October's reverse fixture ended in a pulsating 3-3 draw and we anticipate another action-packed contest between Braga and Gil Vicente this weekend. The Gilistas have struggled to get going away from home and we are backing Jorge's men to come away with all three points.

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