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

While the home side currently sit in seventh position, Tondela are down in 16th spot in the standings after four successive defeats.

Match preview

Carlos Carvalhal has been tasked with trying to move Braga into the top two, further motivation coming from Sporting Lisbon's exploits of last season.

However, after consecutive goalless draws with Vitoria de Guimaraes and Pacos de Ferreira, Os Arcebispos are already playing catch-up behind their rivals.

With a 2-1 defeat in the Europa League against Red Star Belgrade thrown into the equation, Carvalhal has a considerable job on his hands to get Braga back on track.

On the plus side, three clean sheets have been kept in Primeira Liga, but progress will not be made up the standings until they resolve their issues in the final third.

While Carvalhal is at a stage where he needs to progress Braga from being solid but unspectacular, Tondela would take such a reputation without any hesitation.

After initially starting the season with a 3-0 victory over Santa Clara, as many as nine goals have been conceded in just four matches.

Nevertheless, Pako Ayestaran will argue that there are as many positives to take as negatives, Tondela recently leading Benfica until the 71st minute before eventually suffering a late defeat.

A slow start against Estoril Praia could be put down to a hangover from that disappointment, but losing out 2-1 to the surprise package of the league should not be perceived as a disaster.

Juan Manuel Boselli netted on his debut last weekend with the playmaker joining on a two-year loan from Uruguayan side Defensor.

Braga Primeira Liga form:

Braga form (all competitions):

Tondela Primeira Liga form:

Tondela form (all competitions):

Team News

Having made a positive impact in the Europa League, Galeno could keep his place at left wing-back for Braga.

On the opposite flank, Carvalhal must decide whether to persist with Fabiano or hand an opportunity to Manchester City loanee Yan Couto.

Abel Ruiz is expected to drop back down to the substitutes' bench after failing to impress against Red Star Belgrade.

Ayestaran will give consideration to using a 3-5-2 formation after it proved effective during Tondela's game at Benfica last month.

Manu Hernando is in line to replace the injured Jota Goncalves, with Naoufel Khacef possibly moving into the back three and Neto Borges featuring at left wing-back.

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Tormena, Leite, Oliveira; Couto, A.Horta, Al Musrati, Galeno; R.Horta, Gonzalez, Chiquinho

Tondela possible starting lineup:

Niasse; Sagnan, Hernando, Khacef; Almeida, Undabarrena, Augusto, Pedro, Borges; Boselli, Dos Anjos

We say: Braga 2-0 Tondela

Given their poor effort in the final third of late, Braga are no certainties to win this fixture. Nevertheless, Tondela need to show something else before we can consider them as contenders to win matches such as this one.