Preview: Gil Vicente vs. Braga - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the visitors sit second in the Primeira Liga, but are looking to bounce back from a defeat in the Europa League.

Match preview

The hosts have endured a difficult season in the Primeira Liga up until this point, winning just two of their 10 league games, both of which came against the current bottom two in Pacos Ferreira and Maritimo.

They sit just one point clear of Santa Clara in the relegation playoff place heading into Sunday, and Ivo Vieira will be eager to see his side end their poor run of form.

Last time out in league action, they were put to the sword by Chaves courtesy of a Joao Mendes brace and a strike from Jonathan Arriba. To make matters worse, Adrian Marin was dismissed in the sixth minute of stoppage time in the first half, leaving Vieira's side facing a uphill battle after the interval.

The Roosters have lost their last three league outings, although they did use the break in league action to their benefit two weeks ago, picking up a win at fourth-tier side Serpa in the Taca de Portugal.

They now face the challenge of stopping a Braga side that have won four of their five games on the road. In addition to this, Gil Vicente have only found the net on nine occasions this season - one fewer than the total number of goals Braga have conceded.

Braga, on the other hand, are looking to respond to a disappointing defeat to Union Berlin in the Europa League.

Robin Knoche's penalty was enough to secure all three points for the German outfit and leapfrog Artur Jorge's side into second spot in Group D.

Braga must now defeat Malmo on matchday six, and hope that Berlin somehow drop points against group leaders Union SG, in order for them to qualify for a playoff tie.

Domestically, Braga enjoyed their last away trip against Estoril Praia, courtesy of goals from Al-Musrati and Vitor Oliveira.

That victory ended a run of two successive defeats for Jorge's men, after they lost 4-1 against Porto on September 30 — which saw their six-game winning streak come to an end — before falling to a 1-0 loss against Chaves on October 9.

Os Arcebispos have won seven of their 10 league outings this season, and will be confident of getting a positive result against a side that have only been victorious twice so far.

Gil Vicente Primeira Liga form:

L

W

D

L

L

L

Braga Primeira Liga form:

W

W

W

L

L

W

Braga form (all competitions):

L

L

L

D

W

L

Team News

Fran Navarro bagged his eighth goal of the season against Chaves, so it seems likely that Vieira will stick with the 24-year-old here.

Henrique Gomes could come in for the suspended Adrian Marin at left-back after the Spaniard was sent off against Chaves.

Meanwhile, Braga have no known injury concerns at present, meaning that Jorge can name the strongest side which he feels capable of picking up a positive result in Barcelos.

Simon Banza is the club's top scorer in the league, with five goals in 10 appearances, and he will be aiming to get on the scoresheet once more here.

Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:

Andrew; Veiga, Cunha, Fernandes, Gomes; Fujimoto, Carvalho, Tiba; Boselli, Navarro, Murill

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Fabiano, Tormena, Niakate, Sequeira; Gomes, Al-Musrati, A Horta, R Horta; Banza, Ruiz

We say: Gil Vicente 0-2 Braga

Braga will be looking to respond to a disappointing defeat in midweek, and we believe they will.

Previews by email