Preview: Braga vs. Rio Ave - prediction, team news, lineups

Artur Jorge's side completed a remarkable turnaround against Union Berlin to record their first win in this season's Champions League group stage.

Match preview

Bringing themselves back down to Earth from cloud nine will be the biggest challenge for Braga ahead of this visit of Rio Ave.

After being 2-0 down before half-time against Union Berlin on Tuesday, Braga rallied back and won 3-2 late on thanks to a wonderful strike from substitute Andre Castro.

There were delirious scenes in the aftermath of the goal, as the Braga bench spilled onto the Olympiastadion pitch, with a hard-fought three points in the bag in what is a very tough group also containing Real Madrid and Napoli.

The win in Germany keeps up Braga's recent upturn in form since their defeat to Napoli on matchday one.

After losing at the Quarry to the Partenopei, Jorge's men have seen off both Boavista and Estrela with ease, netting four goals on each occasion.

Those two league wins have kept them in touch with the big three after what was a shaky start for the club.

Having already lost to Farense and Famalicao already this season, Braga must cut out those unexpected and disappointing defeats if they want to keep pace, and they start the weekend three points behind Porto with a better goal difference.

Ricardo Horta has played a big role in their recent success, as Braga's key man has scored and assisted three goals across the last three matches.

The Braga faithful will be hoping for another talismanic performance here before Horta links up with the Portugal squad for international duty next week.

With their hosts in great spirits after a brilliant result in midweek, Rio Ave are currently on the floor after a demoralising defeat last weekend.

A shock 4-0 defeat at home to Moreirense is a new low point in what has been a poor start in general for the Vilacondenses.

After beating Chaves on the opening day, Rio Ave have taken just two points from a possible 18, with draws over Casa Pia and Famalicao their only results since.

Defeats to Porto and Sporting Lisbon were understandable, but last week's debacle was a nightmare for manager Luis Freire.

Travelling to the Quarry is not the ideal location for Rio Ave to get back on track either, as they have only won once here this century.

Since that solitary win in 2013, Rio Ave have drawn two and lost six of the eight meetings between the sides here, conceding 20 goals in the process.

Braga Primeira Liga form:

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Braga form (all competitions):

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Rio Ave Primeira Liga form:

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Team News

Braga will be without defender Victor Gomez after he was substituted inside just four minutes in last weekend's win over Estrela.

Jose Fonte came on to replace him, but Jorge opted to go with a centre-back pairing of Sikou Niakate and Serdar Saatci in Berlin in midweek.

Spanish international Abel Ruiz has lost his place in the side recently, with Jorge preferring the more pacey trio of Bruma, Simon Banza and Alvaro Djalo, but the manager could bring him back in for a start here.

An awful run of results compiled by last week's horror show could see Freire make some personnel changes to his side here.

Emmanuel Boateng remains the only player out injured for the visitors, as he recovers from a muscular problem.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Gomez, Niakate, Jose Fonte, Borja; Musrati, Zalazar, Ricardo Horta; Djalo, Abel Ruiz, Bruma

Rio Ave possible starting lineup:

Magrao; Pantalon, Aderllan Santos, Patrick William; Costinha, Guga, Oudrhiri, Fabio Ronaldo; Ze Manuel, L Ruiz, Bruno Ventura

We say: Braga 3-0 Rio Ave

Braga are playing with much more confidence again despite an under-par opening half-hour against Union Berlin in midweek.

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