Dreaming of a place in the Champions League, Braga are set to host Gil Vicente at Estadio Municipal de Braga this Sunday in the Primeira Liga.
The Arsenalistas have been in particularly strong form recently in the Portugese top flight, while the Gilistas have lost back-to-back games and will be looking to get back on track this weekend.
Match preview
© Imago
Carlos Carvalhal's Braga have won their last four league games on the bounce, and having lost just one of their last nine, they find themselves fourth in the table - four points behind second-placed Benfica.
That being said, Sunday's hosts have been notably stronger on the road than at home recently given that they have taken maximum points from just one of their last five top-flight matches at the Estadio Municipal de Braga.
Most recently, the Arsenalistas came from behind to beat Moreirense 2-1 thanks to a 66-minute strike from veteran midfielder Joao Moutinho and a stoppage time winner courtesy of Ricardo Horta.
With a game in hand over stumbling, third-placed Porto, Carvalhal's side will sense an opportunity to put pressure on their rivals by picking up three points and potentially drawing level with the Champions League regulars.
However, Braga will need to channel their away form and harness the power of their home crowd if they are to earn what would be just their second Primeira Liga win of 2025 on their own turf.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Bruno Pinheiro's Gil Vicente were on a seven-game unbeaten streak prior to their disappointing January 27 loss against relegation-threatened AVS, though considering that they followed that result with another defeat against Estoril, fans may be forgiven for thinking that their strong form was merely a purple patch.
The Gilistas are currently 12th in the table with 22 points from their 22 matches, and are by no means safe from the threat of demotion given that they sit just five points ahead of 16th-placed Estrela, who occupy the relegation playoff spot.
In the reverse fixture, Pinheiro's side earned a point in a 0-0 draw back in September, but the same outcome this time around would do little to help secure their status in the league with just nine points between ninth and 17th in the Primeira Liga.
While Sunday's hosts have been mixed at home of late, the visitors have been poor on the road all season, and they may be low on confidence for their trip to Braga having recorded just one league win away from their own stadium this term.
Form may be against Gil Vicente this weekend, but an unlikely three points could see them climb all the way to ninth in the table should results elsewhere prove favourable.
Team News
© Imago
Braga have a mostly fit squad for their clash on Sunday, though Tiago Helguera will be absent and defender Sikou Niakate is a doubt, but he could make the squad.
If Niakate is not ready to start, Carvalhal is likely to field a defence featuring Victor Gomez, Paulo Oliveira, Bright Arrey-Mbi and Francisco Chissumba.
As for Gil Vicente, centre-back Ruben Fernandes was sent off last time out and will not be available this weekend, so expect Marvin Elimbi to line up alongside Mory Gbane and Josue Sa in the backline.
Further forward, Fran Navarro should start up top, supported by Roger Fernandes and Ismael Gharbi from wide areas.
Braga possible starting lineup:
Hornicek; Gomez, Oliveira, Arrey-Mbi, Chissumba; Moutinho, Gorby; Fernandes, Horta, Gharbi; Navarro
Gil Vicente possible starting lineup:
Andrew; Sa, Gbane, Elimbi; Carlos, Fujimoto, Caseres, Cruz; Mboula, Aguirre, Correia
We say: Braga 2-1 Gil Vicente
Braga have a mixed record at home while Gil Vicente have a poor record on the road, so expect a close game regardless of the result.
That being said, the hosts have been in strong form more generally and their momentum - as well as the chance to put pressure on Porto - could see them take an important three points this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
