Preview: Braga vs. Pacos de Ferreira - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors head into the season finale knowing they will be playing in the Segunda Liga next season but will look to bow out of the top flight with their heads held high.

Match preview

Despite last week's 1-1 stalemate with Boavista, Braga clinched their spot in the Champions League qualifiers after fourth-placed Sporting Lisbon were held to a draw by league leaders Benfica.

A second-half own goal from American international Reggie Cannon put Os Arcebispos ahead but Yusupha Njie struck in the third minute of stoppage time to extend Boavista's unbeaten run at the Estadio do Bessa to four games.

With a spot in next season's Champions League now on the cards, Braga now return home, where they boast the division's fourth-best record, having picked up 12 wins and 38 points in their 16 games so far.

Artur Jorge's side head into the weekend on a run of nine wins in their last 10 Primeira Liga matches at the Estadio Braga Municipal, with March's goalless draw with Porto being the exception.

This fine run of form has been in no small measure key to Braga's top-three finish in the league table but has also helped them book a spot in the Taca de Portugal final, where they take on Porto on June 4.

Pacos de Ferreira, on the other hand, failed in their bid to preserve their top-flight status, despite picking up a 3-1 victory over Rio Ave last Sunday.

Goals from Nigel Thomas, Alexandre Guedes and a 48th-minute own goal from Aderllan Santos were enough to see off the Vilacondenses at the Estadio Capital do Movel.

However, the Pacenses' fine display against Rio Ave was too little, too late to salvage their season as Martimo's 1-0 victory over Vizela sealed their relegation to the Segunda Liga.

Pacos de Ferreira's underwhelming campaign has been to a great degree down to their struggles at the back, where they have allowed the second-most goals (59) and kept the fewest clean sheets (3) so far.

Cesar Peixoto's men now end their season against a Braga side who have won the last three meetings between the teams and are undefeated in their last seven encounters since a 2-0 loss in January 2021.

Braga Primeira Liga form:

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Braga form (all competitions):

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Pacos de Ferreira Primeira Liga form:

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Team News

With their Taca de Portugal final on the horizon and their spot in the Champions League qualifiers secured, Jorge could opt to rest several key players and name a shuffled XI on Saturday.

Youngsters like Jean-Baptiste Gorby, Rodrigo Gomes and Alvaro Djalo could be handed starting roles, with the likes of Bruma and Ricardo Horta dropping to the bench.

Ricardo Horta leads Os Arcebispos in goals (13) and assists (7) in the league and has been a standout performer in the club's successful domestic campaign.

On the injury front, Braga will finish the league campaign without Mutassim Al-Musrati and 35-year-old midfielder Andre Castro, who continue their spells on the sidelines.

The defensive duo of Vitor Tormena and Cristian Borja are currently recuperating from muscle injuries and will also play no part in Saturday's games.

Meanwhile, Pacos de Ferreira will take to the pitch without Brazilian forward Uilton Silva, who was hauled off injured inside the opening four minutes against Rio Ave.

Paulo Bernardo is eligible to feature for the Pacenses, having missed the aforementioned game due to a one-match suspension for picking up a red card against Chaves on May 13.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Gomez, Oliveira, Oliveira, Sequeira; Pizzi, Medeiros, Gomes, Gorby; Ruiz, Djalo

Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:

Marafona; Delgado, Lima, Maracas, Antunes; Pires, Holsgrove; Uilton, Guedes, Thomas; Butzke

We say: Braga 2-1 Pacos de Ferreira

Having failed to beat the drop, Pacos de Ferreira will be looking to at least go down on a high. However, Braga have been near impenetrable at home, where they have lost just once since early November. We are backing Os Arcebispos to extend their dominance over the visitors and pick up a morale-boosting result ahead of June's cup final.

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