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

Having picked up a 1-0 victory in October's reverse fixture, the Flavienses will set out to complete an impressive league double over the visitors and move into the top half of the table.

Match preview

Chaves continue their quest for a top-half finish as they picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory over 10-man Estoril Praia at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota just before the international break.

In a game where Joaozinho received his marching orders, Steven Vitoria and Joao Teixeira scored from the spot in either half to hand the hosts their 15 league defeat of the season.

Vitor Campelos's men previously ended their three-game losing streak on March 11 when they picked up a 2-0 home win over Portimonense courtesy of goals from Juninho Vieira and Issah Abass.

Chaves' recent defensive sturdiness has been key to their resurgence as they head into the weekend on a run of two back-to-back clean sheets, having managed just two clean sheets in their previous 15 matches since the start of November.

The Flavienses have now picked up eight wins, eight draws and lost nine of their 25 league matches to collect 32 points and sit 11th in the Primeira Liga table, level on points with 10th-placed Vizela.

Braga, on the other hand, maintained their fine solid run of results as they held reigning champions Porto to a goalless draw when the sides squared off on March 19.

Sergio Conceicao's side were guilty of a wasteful display in front of goal as they failed to bury several clear-cut chances before settling for a share of the spoils at the Estadio Braga Municipal.

Prior to that, Os Arcebispos snapped their run of two consecutive defeats courtesy of a 2-0 home win over Rio Ave on March 5, six days before thrashing Vizela 4-0 at the Estadio do FC Vizela.

With 56 points from 25 matches, Artur Jorge's men are currently third in the league standings, two points off second-placed Porto in the automatic Champions League qualification spot.

Braga's impressive campaign has been owing to their solid display at the defensive end of the pitch, where they have conceded 22 goals and boast the division's second-highest clean sheets (14).

Chaves Primeira Liga form:

D

L

L

L

W

W

Braga Primeira Liga form:

W

W

L

W

W

D

Braga form (all competitions):

W

L

L

W

W

D

Team News

Ricardo Guimaraes crossed the yellow card threshold with his booking against Estoril Praia last time out and the 27-year-old midfielder will miss Sunday's matchup due to a one-match ban.

In his absence, Senegalese international Sidy Sarr should come into the Chaves XI, forming the midfield trio with former Tondela man Joao Mendes and skipper Joao Teixeira.

On the injury front, the hosts remain without the trio of Joao Correia, Nwankwo Obiorah and Villarreal loanee Jonathan Arriba, who are all recuperating from muscle problems.

Braga, on the other hand, head into the weekend with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Jorge the luxury of a full strength squad at his disposal.

Victor Gomez, Sikou Niakate, Vitor Tormena and Nuno Sequeira were solid in repelling the Porto attackers last time out and we expect them to form the defence line shielding experienced goalkeeper Matheus Lima.

Chaves possible starting lineup:

Fagundes; Monte, Vitoria, Ponck, Langa; Teixeira, Mendes, Abass; Benny, Juninho, Euller

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Gomez, Niakate, Tormena, Sequeira; Medeiros, Al-Musrati, A Horta; Bruma, Horta, Ruiz

We say: Chaves 1-2 Braga

While Braga will be looking to return to winning ways and keep their quest for an automatic Champions League spot alive, they face a resurgent Chaves side who have been solid in their last two outings. However, we are backing Jorge's men to take the positives from their draw against Porto and claim all three points here, albeit by the odd goal.

Previews by email