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

The visitors, whose recent slump in the league has seen them drop to third place in the table, will look to build on Thursday's Taca de Portugal victory and

Match preview

Portimonense finally stopped the rot in the Primeira Liga as they picked up a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Gil Vicente when the sides squared off last Friday.

In what was an action-packed contest at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, Mohamed Diaby and Ricardo Matos scored either side of Fran Navarro's 27th-minute equaliser to hand the hosts a third consecutive defeat.

Prior to that, the Alvinegros were on a five-game winless run across all competitions, picking up one draw and losing four, including a 2-0 loss against Campeonato de Portugal side Vilaverdense in the third round of the Taca de Portugal on October 16.

Having kicked off the season with a run of five wins from their opening seven league matches, Portimonense's fine early form sees them seated seventh in the Primeira Liga standings after claiming 19 points from their 12 games so far.

While manager Paulo Sergio will hope last week's victory over the Gilistas can serve as a catalyst for another positive run, next up is the stern challenge of taking on a Braga side who are unbeaten in the last 16 meetings between the teams, claiming 12 wins and four draws since August 2010.

Artur Jorge's men returned to winning ways in the Taca de Portugal as they edged out a resilient Moreirense side 2-1 on home turf to progress to the round of 16 of the competition on Thursday.

Ricardo Horta and Higor Platiny scored for either side to end the first half even at the Estadio Braga Municipal before Real Betis loanee Diego Lainez struck in the 88th minute to sink the Segunda Liga leaders.

Braga now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they were denied a third win on the bounce last Sunday as they fell to a somewhat disappointing 1-0 home defeat at the hands of newcomers Casa Pia.

Os Arcebispos head into the weekend with the Primeira Liga's second-best record on the road this season, claiming five wins from their six away games, with September's 4-1 loss against Porto being the exception.

Braga have picked up eight wins, one draw and lost three of their 12 matches so far to collect 25 points and sit third in the league standings, one point behind second-placed Porto and nine off leaders Benfica.

Portimonense Primeira Liga form:

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Braga Primeira Liga form:

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Braga form (all competitions):

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Team News

Portimonense will take to the pitch without the services of Brazilian international Carlinhos, who has been sidelined since coming off injured in May's game against Sporting Lisbon.

Pedro Sa is also out of contention for the hosts after the 28-year-old midfielder picked up a muscle injury in the 1-0 victory over Famalicao on September 4.

Matos staked his claim for a starting role with a fine cameo against Gil Vicente and the 22-year-old forward could come in for Yago Cariello, who has failed to find the back of the net in his last six matches.

The likes of Andre Horta, Abel Ruiz and first-choice goalkeeper Matheus Lima were rested in the cup win over Moreirense on Thursday but could be recalled to the Braga XI this weekend.

Ricardo Horta, who has four goals and four assists in the Primeira Liga this season, has been rewarded with a place in Portugal's World Cup squad and the 28-year-old should lead the visitors' attack once again.

However, Jorge will be unable to call upon Spanish midfielder Alvaro Djalo, who is currently ruled out after coming off injured midway through the first half on Tuesday.

Portimonense possible starting lineup:

Nakamura; Ouattara, Pedrao, Relvas, Seck; Moufi, Diaby, Moreira, Oliveira; Cariello, Luquinha

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Fabiano, Niakate, Tormena, Sequeira; Medeiros, A Horta, Al-Musrati; R Horta, Ruiz, Oliveira

We say: Portimonense 1-3 Braga

Buoyed by their victory over Gil Vicente, Portimonense will head into the weekend with renewed belief as they look to put together a fine run of form. However, Braga boasts the firepower needed to get the job done and we are backing them to extend their dominance in the history of this fixture.

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