Preview: Braga vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

Los Blancos are top of the section on six points from an available six, three clear of third-placed Braga, who have won one and lost one of their first two games in what is a difficult group.

Match preview

Braga's Group C campaign started in a frustrating fashion, as they conceded late against Napoli to suffer a 2-1 defeat on home soil, with the loss even more disappointing considering that the Portuguese outfit had levelled the scores in the 84th minute through Bruma.

Artur Jorge's side were on the right end of a late show against Union Berlin on matchday two, though, with the Primeira Liga outfit recovering from two goals behind to win 3-2 in Germany, with their third of the match coming in the 94th minute through Castro.

Braga will bring a five-game winning run into this match, which has included victories in their last three league games, and a total of 16 points from eight fixtures has left them fourth in the Primeira Liga table.

Os Arcebispos have a record of two wins from their three previous games against Spanish sides, which have all been against Sevilla, and Tuesday's contest will be a historic one for the club, as they prepare to take on the most successful club in European football for the first time.

Braga last competed in the group stage of the Champions League during the 2012-13 campaign, when they finished fourth in a section which also included Manchester United and Galatasaray.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, have triumphed in their opening two matches in this season's competition, beginning Group C with a 1-0 win over Union Berlin before beating Napoli 3-2 in Italy last time out.

Los Blancos are already in charge of the section on six points, while they are top of the La Liga table, boasting 25 points from their opening 10 matches of the season, but Carlo Ancelotti's side saw a four-game winning run come to an end on Saturday evening.

Real Madrid were actually behind in the 74th minute of the league contest with Sevilla at Estadio Ramon, but Dani Carvajal levelled the scores four minutes later, with the capital outfit securing a share of the spoils in a match where they were below their best for long spells.

Los Blancos - winners of the European Cup on 14 occasions - have actually been beaten in eight of their last 24 away matches in this competition, recording just eight wins in the process, which is a record that will hand Braga confidence heading into Tuesday's encounter.

Real Madrid have won 10 of their 12 games in all competitions this season, though, while their overall record against Portuguese opposition is strong, winning 14, drawing two and losing five of their previous 21 matches.

Braga Champions League form:

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Braga form (all competitions):

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Real Madrid Champions League form:

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Real Madrid form (all competitions):

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Team News

Braga's only confirmed absentee on Tuesday is Victor Gomez, with the defender on the sidelines due to a thigh problem which he suffered at the end of September.

There had been some concern over the fitness of Ricardo Horta, who had to withdraw from the Portugal squad over the international break due to a muscular problem, but he featured as a substitute in last week's Taca de Portugal clash with Rebordosa and is expected to be in the XI for this contest.

Alvaro Djalo is the team's leading goalscorer this season with seven, and the 24-year-old is a certain starter for the home side alongside Bruma and Simon Banza, who have both netted six times this term.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, have four absentees for this match, with Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao long-term absentees due to serious knee injuries, while Dani Ceballos picked up a muscular injury in training last week.

Arda Guler is now closing in on his first appearance for the club, but the Turkey international, who suffered a thigh injury after recovering from a knee operation, has not been included in the squad for this match.

David Alaba returned from a groin problem against Sevilla on Saturday and will again line up in the middle of the defence for this match, but there could be a change at left-back, with Eduardo Camavinga likely to be used in that area of the field.

Ancelotti has a big decision to make when it comes to the starter alongside Vinicius Junior in attack, but Rodrygo is expected to get the nod over Joselu despite only scoring once this season.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Mendes, Saatci, Niakate, Borja; Zalazar, Al-Musrati; Djalo, Horta, Bruma; Banza

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Camavinga; Kroos, Tchouameni, Valverde; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius

We say: Braga 1-2 Real Madrid

Braga will enter this match in excellent form, and there is no question that they have the players to hurt Real Madrid on Tuesday night. We are expecting the Portuguese outfit to score, but the away team's experience and additional quality should allow them to secure an important three points.

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