MX23RW : Friday, February 5 18:54:52| >> :60:1546:1546:
Dec 28, 2020 at 9pm UK at Estádio do Bessa
BoavistaBoavista
1-4
BragaBraga
Castro (66')
Benguche (81')
FT(HT: 0-3)
Paulinho (4'), Medeiros (15'), Horta (26', 69')
Elmusrati (67')

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

Sports Mole previews Monday's Primeira Liga clash between Boavista and Braga, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Braga make the trip to Boavista on Monday evening looking to keep the pressure on the top three in the Primeira Liga standings.

Meanwhile, the home side head into this contest looking to improve on three successive draws, results which have kept the club outside of the bottom two.


Match preview

Carlos Carvalhal, now in charge of Sporting Braga, pictured in June 2020© Reuters

A slow start to the season has meant that Braga have always been playing catch-up with regards to remaining competitive in the Primeira Liga title race.

However, seven victories from eight matches have put Carlos Carvahal's side in a much more favourable position ahead of the turn of the year.

While the 2-1 defeat at Belenenses earlier this month halted Braga's surge, they were able to respond with a routine 3-0 success against Rio Ave in their most recent league outing.

Sitting just five points adrift of leaders Sporting Lisbon, Braga will feel confident about eventually closing down the gap, as well as keeping pace with Benfica and Porto.

The trip to Sporting follows the game on Monday evening, and Carvahal will stress to his squad that they must take advantage of their opportunity to make their presence known further up the table.

Despite Boavista's lowly position in the table, Braga will take nothing for granted against opponents who have already proven that they can get the better of the top teams in the division.

Os Axadrezados are still searching for consistency under Vasco Seabra, but the manner in which they dispatched of Benfica earlier in the season was a reminder of their qualities.

Just three points have followed from the next four matches, but their three stalemates during that period came against clubs occupying positions in the top 10.

Although they remain with the third-worst defensive record in the league, Seabra witnessed his side concede just one goal in the games against Belenenses, Rio Ave and Pacos de Ferreira.

Boavista Primeira Liga form: DWLDDD
Boavista form (all competitions): LWDDLD

Braga Primeira Liga form: WWWWLW
Braga form (all competitions): WLWWWW


Team News

Gustavo Sauer pictured in action for Boavista in June 2020© Reuters

Despite only being held by Pacos de Ferreira through a late equaliser, Seabra may still make a couple of changes to his Boavista XI.

Nuno Santos could come in as a replacement for Gustavo Sauer, while Alejandro Gomez is in contention for a recall in the centre of defence.

Depending on the fitness of Wenderson Galeno, Carvahal could be forced into a reshuffle in defence and midfield.

If Galeno is absent, Nuno Sequeira may switch to left wing-back, with David Carmo being handed a recall to a three-man backline.

The six-day turnaround could result in the rest of the Braga side remaining the same.

Boavista possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Cannon, Awaziem, Gomez, Hamache; Paulinho, Garcia, Santos; Elis, Gomes, Njie

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Tormena, Viana, Carmo; Esgaio, Fransergio, Castro, Sequeira; Medeiros, Horta; Paulinho


SM words green background

We say: Boavista 1-2 Braga

While Boavista's sole success this season came against Benfica, they have not been able to produce that kind of performance on a regular basis. With that in mind, we are backing the visitors to edge a close contest on Sunday evening, potentially via a late goal when the home side are trying to hold onto a point.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:427956:cQx

How you voted: Boavista vs Braga

Boavista
8.3%
Draw
12.5%
Braga
79.2%
48
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon1613303492542
2Porto17123239172239
3Braga17120530161436
4Benfica16103330161433
5Pacos de FerreiraPacos de Ferreira1694324131131
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes159242013729
7Santa ClaraSanta Clara176471820-222
8MoreirenseMoreirense175661521-621
9Nacional174671521-618
10TondelaTondela165381525-1018
11Maritimo165291622-617
12BelenensesBelenenses17377814-616
13Rio AveRio Ave173771120-916
14PortimonensePortimonense1743101423-915
15BoavistaBoavista162861627-1114
16FamalicaoFamalicao173591730-1314
17SC FarenseFarense163491623-713
18Gil Vicente163491119-813

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