Fresh off the back of a disappointing Europa League defeat, Braga play host to SC Farense at the Estadio Braga Municipal in round eight of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Sunday.
The Leoes de Faro, on the other hand, booked their spot in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal last time out and will head into the weekend looking to make it three wins from three across all competitions.
Match preview
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Braga were condemned to a second consecutive defeat in the Europa League as they fell to a somewhat disappointing 2-1 loss against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on home turf last Wednesday.
In a game where Sikou Niakate received his marching orders, the game sparked into life in the second half as Hakon Evjen and Villads Nielsen netted either side of Niakate's 64th-minute equaliser to hand the Glimt all three points.
Braga had kicked off their Europa League journey on September 26 when Bruna netted a late brace to hand them a 2-1 comeback win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, one week before suffering a 3-0 thrashing against Olympiacos in Greece.
Prior to Wednesday's defeat, Os Arcebispos held on to see out a 2-1 victory over Dezembro to secure their spot in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal on September 19 courtesy of goals in either half from Rodrigo Zalazar and Joao Moutinho.
Braga now turn their attention to the Primeira Liga, where they saw their run of two back-to-back victories come to an end in their last outing before the international break, when they were beaten 2-1 by Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.
Carlos Carvalhal's men have picked four wins and two draws from their eight games to start the new league campaign, claiming 14 points to sit fifth in the standings, level on points with sixth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes.
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Farense, meanwhile, picked up a dream start to the 2024-25 Taca de Portugal campaign as they secured a 4-2 victory over third-tier Sanjoanense at the Estadio Conde Dias Garcia last Saturday.
While the Liga 3 outfit put up a valiant effort in front of their home supporters, they were no match for the visitors, as Alex Bermejo Escribano scored twice before an own goal from Duarte Maneta and Raul Silva's 83rd-minute strike capped off a solid team display.
Farnese now turn their focus to the Primeira Liga, where they picked up their first win of the season on October 6, when they edged out Estoril Praia 1-0 courtesy of a dramatic 95th-minute strike from Silva
Toze Marreco's men had failed to win any of their opening seven matches, suffering six back-to-back defeats to start the campaign before holding out for a goalless draw against newly-promoted AVS on September 30.
While Farense have turned a corner in recent weeks, they remain rooted to the bottom of the Primeira Liga table, having picked up just four points from a possible 24, but could surge into 13th place with all three points this weekend.
Team News
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Braga remain without the services of German defender Bright Arrey-Mbi, who is set to sit out his third consecutive game after coming off injured while on international duty against Poland Under-21s on October 15.
He is joined on the club's injury table by Brazilian defender Robson Bambu, who has been sidelined since picking up a thigh injury against Rapid Vienna back in August.
Niakate received his marching orders in the midweek defeat against Bodo/Glimt, but the 25-year-old is eligible for selection this weekend and should form the back four with Victor Gomez, Joao Ferreira and Adrian Marin, shielding Matheus Lima in goal.
As for this weekend's visitors, they will have to cope without Luiz Felipe, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up a severe injury back in February.
Kaique Pereira has been out of action since picking up a forearm injury back in July and the 21-year-old goalkeeper is also out of contention for the trip to the Estadio Braga Municipal.
Braga possible starting lineup:
Lima; Gomez, Ferreira, Niakate, Marin; Moutinho, Zalazar; Bruma, Horta, Fernandes; Jaen
SC Farense possible starting lineup:
Velho; Pastor, Jorge, Africo, Poloni; Silva, Falcao, Neto, Balde, Millan, Bermejo
We say: Braga 2-0 SC Farense
Still licking their wounds from their Europa League defeat, Braga will head into the weekend looking to clean the dust off their feet and return to winning ways.
While Farense have upped the ante of late, they have failed to win five of their last six games against Carvalhal's men — losing four and claiming one draw — and we see them struggling at the Estadio do Braga on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
