Preview: Braga vs. Santa Clara - prediction, team news, lineups

While the visitors are currently nine points off safety with just three games to go, Os Arcebispos will be looking to move within three points of second-placed Porto.

Match preview

Braga suffered a huge blow in their race for an automatic Champions League ticket as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against title-chasing Benfica last Saturday.

In a one-sided affair at the Estadio da Luz, Rafa Silva came up trumps for As Aguias as he grabbed the only goal of the game in the 67th minute to maintain their four-point lead at the top of the table.

Prior to that, Braga were on a 10-match undefeated streak — claiming eight wins and two draws — a run which saw them book their spot in the Taca de Portugal final courtesy of a 7-2 aggregate win over Nacional.

While Os Arcebispos remain third in the Primeira Liga standings, the loss to Benfica has seen them fall six points behind second-placed Porto in the automatic Champions League qualification spot.

Artur Jorge's side must also be looking over their shoulder given that they now sit just four points above fourth-placed Sporting Lisbon outside the Champions League playoff spot with three games left to play.

However, Braga will fancy their chances of getting their campaign back on track this weekend as they return home, where they have won all but one of their last nine matches, with March's goalless draw with Porto being the exception.

Santa Clara, on the other hand, picked up their first win since November last time out as they edged out Gil Vicente 3-2 in a pulsating showdown at the Estadio de Sao Miguel.

Ygor Nogueira, Adriano Firmino and Matheus Babi scored in succession to hand the hosts a commanding three-goal lead before Fran Navarro and Bilel Aouacheria netted in a three-minute spell to reduce the deficit.

Santa Clara were previously a run of 21 consecutive games without a win across all competitions, losing 17 and claiming four draws since a 3-1 victory over Estoril Praia on November 14.

Manager Danildo Accioly will hope last week's victory over the Gilistas can serve as a catalyst for a strong end to the season as they look to make a late surge from the automatic relegation places.

With 19 points from 31 matches, Santa Clara remain rooted to the bottom of the league standings, four points away from 16th-placed Maritimo in the relegation playoff spot.

Os Acoreanos head into the weekend needing all three points to preserve their Primeira Liga status for at least another week as failure to do so and a Maritimo win deal their relegation will bring their five-year spell in the top flight to an end.

However, they face the daunting challenge of taking on a Braga side who they have failed to defeat in each of their last six attempts, losing four and claiming two draws since a 1-0 victory in September 2020.

Braga Primeira Liga form:

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Braga form (all competitions):

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Santa Clara Primeira Liga form:

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Team News

Braga's veteran midfielder Andre Castro has missed the last five matches after coming off with a muscle injury in April's cup tie against Nacional and will play no part in Sunday's game.

Ricardo Horta has been a standout performer for Jorge's side this season and the Portuguese international currently sits fifth in the league's goal involvements chart with 12 goals and six assists.

We expect the 28-year-old to lead Os Arcebispos' attack once again, while Simon Banza, who has netted 10 league goals, should challenge Abel Ruiz for the centre-forward role.

Following an impressive attacking display against Gil Vicente, we expect an unchanged front three from Santa Clara, with Babi, Ricardinho and Palmeiras loanee Gabriel Silva handling business in attack.

Matheus Araujo came off with a late injury against the Gilistas and should he fail to shake off his injury, Paulo Henrique could come in for his 18th start of the season.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Gomez, Tormena, Niakate, Borja; Medeiros, Horta, Racic; Bruma, Banza, Horta

Santa Clara possible starting lineup:

Batista; Sagna, Nogueira, Boateng, Almeida; Jordao, Firmino, Araujo; Ricardinho, Silva, Babi

We say: Braga 2-0 Santa Clara

Following last Saturday's defeat, Braga now return home where they have won eight and picked up 25 points from their last nine matches. Jorge's side have been imperious in the history of this fixture and we fancy them coming away with a comfortable victory in front of their home fans.

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