Preview: Pacos de Ferreira vs. Braga - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors will head into the game seeking to get one over the hosts after failing to win any of their two encounters last season.

Match preview

Pacos de Ferreira returned to winning ways last time out when they beat Portimonense 1-0 at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao.

In an end-to-end affair, Brazilian forward Douglas Tanque came up trumps for Jorge Simao's side as he scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half time.

Prior to that, Os Castores suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Estoril Praia three weeks ago before losing 3-0 against Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of their Conference League qualifier tie three days later.

While Simao will hope the win last time out can serve as a springboard for a fine run of form, they face an opposing side who are unbeaten in six of the last eight meetings between the sides, picking up five wins and one draw.

Braga, meanwhile, were denied a second consecutive victory in their last Primera Liga outing when they were held to a goalless draw at home against Vitoria de Guimaraes two Sundays ago.

Despite controlling proceedings for most of the game, they were constantly repelled by an inspired Matous Trmal between the sticks for Os Vimaranenses, who made six saves to force a share of the spoils.

This was followed by a thrilling 3-2 victory over Spanish side Villarreal when they faced off at the Estadio de la Ceramica in a friendly fixture last time out.

In a game where Fabiano Silva received his marching orders, Moi Gomez and Dani Raba scored in a four-minute spell to cancel out first-half goals from Vitor Oliveira and Wenderson Galeno, before Iuri Medeiros grabbed the winner for Os Arcebispos in the 73rd minute.

With two wins and one draw from their opening four league games, Carlos Carvalhal's side are currently sixth in the Primeira Liga table, one point and two places above Saturday's hosts.

Pacos de Ferreira Primeira Liga form:

Pacos de Ferreira form (all competitions):

Braga Primeira Liga form:

Braga form (all competitions):

Team News

Pacos de Ferreira will be unable to call upon the services of Joao Vigario, who picked up a knee injury in August's Conference League qualifying game against Larne.

French midfielder Mohamed Diaby and Brazilian goalkeeper Jordi will also miss the game as they are currently recuperating from Achilles tendon injuries.

Following his side's solid defensive display last time out, Simao could name an unchanged back four of Fernando Fonseca, Flavio Ramos, Maracas and Vitorino Antunes shielding goalkeeper Andre Ferreira.

Meanwhile, Braga remain without the services of Portuguese midfielder Andre Castro, who sustained an injury against Benfica in the Taca de Portugal final back in May.

Twenty-two-year-old defender David Carmo is also on the club's injury table after picking up a knee problem against Porto in the semi-finals of the aforementioned competition.

Nuno Sequeira is a major doubt for Os Arcebispos following his injury in the game against Maritimo last month, while 22-year-old defender Francisco Moura returned to action against Vitoria after a lengthy eight-month absence.

Pacos de Ferreira possible starting lineup:

Ferreira; Fonseca, Ramos, Maracas, Vitorino Antunes; Santos, Eustaquio, Carlos; Delgado, Tanque, Santos

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Oliveira, Silva, Tormena; Fabiano, Musrati, A Horta, Galeno; R Horta, Ruiz, Martins

We say: Pacos de Ferreira 1-3 Braga

Pacos de Ferreira will head into the tie in sky-high spirits after securing a hard-earned win away to Portimonense last time out. However, they take on a Braga side who will be aiming to close the gap on the teams at the top of the table.

While we expect Os Castores to put up a fight, we are tipping the visitors to come away with all three points given the gulf in class between the two squads.