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

For the visitors, securing back to back wins for the first time since November will be the major objective as they make the trip this weekend.

Match preview

Braga had to make do with a share of the spoils from their league meeting against Chaves on Wednesday evening which ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Artur Jorge's men broke the deadlock in the early exchanges of the second half thanks to Rodrigo Zalazar before conceding a leveller to Steven Vitoria 10 minutes later.

As a result, Os Arcebispos remain fourth in the Primeira Liga table, a whopping seven points adrift of Porto and a further four points behind Benfica.

Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are currently on a run of nine straight defeats in this fixture across all competitions.

Unbeaten in eight of their last nine home matches, Sunday's hosts have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack in front of their fans.

Moreirense just about did enough to see off the threat of Famalicao and claim a 1-0 triumph when the teams faced off at Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas.

Despite seeing less of the ball, Rui Borges's men managed to muster a number of clear-cut chances but had to wait until the 82nd minute to open the scoring through Maracas.

With 32 points from 19 matches so far, Os verdes e brancos sit sixth in the standings, five points shy of this weekend's opponents in the race for the final European spot.

Having recently seen their five-game unbeaten run on the road come to an end, Sunday's visitors will be looking to avoid consecutive defeats away from home for the first time since in over a year.

Braga Primeira Liga form:

L

W

D

L

W

D

Braga form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

W

D

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:

W

D

L

W

L

W

Team News

Simon Banza and Sikou Niakate are unavailable as they remain on international duty with DR Congo and Mali at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

Abel Ruiz is also ruled out for the home side having received his fifth yellow card of the season against Chaves which will see him serve a one-game ban.

Victor Carvalho and Joao Moutinho missed the aforementioned game through suspension but are both in line for a return to action this weekend.

Hernani Infande is yet to feature for Moreirense since May through injury and the forward is still a considerable way off returning to action.

Twenty-eight-year-old Alhassane Sylla remains without an appearance this season as he continues to battle with a long-term knee injury.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Mendes, Oliveira, Saatci, Borja; Al Musrati, Pizzi; Djalo, Zalazar, Lopes; Horta

Moreirense possible starting lineup:

Kewin; Pinto, Marcelo, Maracas, Frimpong; Ofori, Franco; Kodisang, Alan, Camacho; Matheus

We say: Braga 2-0 Moreirense

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