Braga make the trip to Estrela Amadora on Thursday night looking to catapult themselves back into the mix at the top of the Primeira Liga standings.
A poor start has left the visitors sitting in sixth position, while Estrela have recently improved to occupy 14th spot in the table.
Match preview
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Having finished in the top three during 2022-23, everything appeared set up for Braga to kick on this season, particularly when back in the Champions League.
However, suffering defeats to Famalicao and Farense means that it has been a poor start to the new campaign, even though they have been helped by the big three also dropping points.
On a more positive note, Braga got back to winning ways in impressive style last time out, thrashing unbeaten Boavista by a 4-1 scoreline to get themselves back into the mix.
Although it was a sixth league fixture without a clean sheet, capitalising on a sending off for the visitors was imperative, and Artur Jorge will be encouraged by the ruthlessness shown by his squad.
Nevertheless, the next test is trying to avoid succumbing to a third surprise defeat of the season, and Estrela will be confident of causing the upset.
While they lost just three times in the second tier during the last campaign, adjusting to life in Primeira Liga takes time, and five points being collected from six matches can be deemed to be a success.
Sergio Vieira's side have bounced back from losing their opening two matches to defeat Estoril and claim draws with Portimonense and Chaves.
Only losing 1-0 at home to Porto is another result that indicates that Estrela are now settled in their new environment, and they will not be overawed by the task in front of them on Thursday.
That said, at a time when Braga have scored in each of their 11 competitive matches in all competitions, Estrela are still searching for their first clean sheet.
Team News
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With Braga four goals to the goal against Boavista, Jorge made sweeping changes for the final quarter, and will likely see him stick with the same starting lineup for this fixture.
Three of Joao Moutinho's four appearances for Braga have come from the substitutes' bench, and the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man is expected to remain among the replacements.
Simon Banza has taken his chance ahead of Abel Ruiz in the final third and should get the nod, while Andre Horta is another who may have to remain patient in his bid to secure a recall.
Estrela will be forced into at least one alteration after Mansur was dismissed for two yellow cards in the 2-2 draw at Chaves.
Johnstone Omurwa is in line to return to the back three, and that may prove to be the only change unless Pedro Sa or Alioune Ndour are handed their first league starts of the season in midfield or attack.
Estrela Amadora possible starting lineup:
Brigido; Gaspar, Lopes, Omurwa; Santos, Cordeiro, Souza, Reis; Ronald, Jaba; Tavares
Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Gomez, Saatci, Niakate, Borja; Musrati, Zalazar; Horta, Pizzi, Djalo; Banza
We say: Estrela Amadora 1-2 Braga
Having already suffered two surprise defeats during the opening weeks of the season, Braga are under pressure to deliver in this match. While we feel that the home side will push them all the way, the superior attacking quality of the visitors may eventually shine through during the closing stages.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
