English
Español
Français
Português
Deutsch
Italiano
NederlandBraga will be looking to record a fifth consecutive league win on Monday night, when they travel to take on Famalicao, who sit bottom of the Primeira Liga table.
Carlos Carvalhal's men have enjoyed a strong run of form which has seen them rise up to second spot in the top flight, while the hosts will be looking for just a fifth league win of the season to lift them out of the drop zone.
Match preview
© Reuters
Famalicao suffered a heavy loss last time out, falling to a 3-0 away defeat at the hands of Boavista, who previously sat below them in the table.
Ricardo Mangas and Paulinho gave the hosts a two-goal lead, and Famalicao's job was made almost impossible when Manuel Ugarte was sent off with 15 minutes to go, before Sebastian Perez capped off a poor day for Fama with a goal in added time.
Since that defeat, manager Silas departed the club having taken charge of just six games, with Ivo Vieira coming in to attempt to save Famalicao from relegation.
That remains very possible, with his new side sitting just two points adrift of automatic safety, meaning a turn in results could quickly see them move out of the drop zone.
However, that turnaround does need to come soon, as Fama have won just one of their last eight league games, picking up a worrying tally of five points in that period.
While Vieira will be hoping to kickstart his Famalicao career with a victory on Monday to begin that run, he could not face many tougher tasks as his side welcome a Braga outfit in a strong run of form.
© Reuters
Os Arcebispos come into this game having won their last four matches in league action, most recently cruising to a 3-0 home victory over Vitoria de Guimaraes.
An early Lucas Piazon finish meant Carvalhal's men were in the driving seat throughout the game, and goals from Abel Ruiz and Andraz Sporar sealed a comfortable victory for the hosts.
Before that, the Archbishops advanced to the Taca de Portugal final by beating Porto 3-2 in the away leg of their semi-final tie, having drawn the first leg 1-1.
Carvalhal's men led 3-0 after half an hour thanks to an Abel Ruiz brace and a Lucas Piazon goal, while goals from Moussa Marega and Sergio Oliveira made it tight, but the hosts could not find the equaliser and Braga went through with a 4-3 aggregate victory.
Os Arcebispos now sit in second place, one point ahead of third-placed Porto, with a win on Monday keeping them in the Champions League qualifying spot.
- L
- L
- D
- W
- D
- L
- W
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Famalicao will be without important midfielder Manuel Ugarte, after their January signing was shown a red card in the recent defeat to Boavista and will serve a suspension on Monday.
Their midfield could take another hit too, as captain Gustavo Assuncao was absent from the squad from the Boavista game, and he could remain out on Monday.
They will also remain without forward Leonardo Campana, who has been absent since January with a muscle injury.
Forward Alexandre Guedes is still in search of his first Famalicao goal after arriving on loan from Vitoria de Guimaraes in January, in the deal which saw Ruben Lameiras leave the club permanently.
Braga will remain without centre-back David Carmo, who has been absent for the last four games with an ankle fracture.
He is joined on the sidelines by Andre Castro, Iuri Medeiros and Francisco Moura, with all three players out of contention with injuries.
However, they will be boosted by the return of Cristian Borja, who served a suspension last time out for a red card shown in the cup victory over Porto.
That could see Carvalhal revert back to the system of three centre-backs, with Borja potentially joining Bruno Rodrigues and Vitor Tormena at the back.
Their attacking line will come into this game with plenty of confidence, with Abel Ruiz and Lucas Piazon netting a combined six goals in Braga's last three games.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Riccieli, Queiros, Babic; Figueiras, Kraev, Rodrigues, Lukovic, Vinagre; Guedes, Tavares
Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Tormena, Rodrigues, Borja; Esgaio, Fransergio, Elmusrati, Galeno; Piazon, Ruiz, Horta
We say: Famalicao 1-3 Braga
While Famalicao could feel the boost so often brought about by a new manager, we do not think they have enough to avoid defeat in this game.
The Archbishops have looked formidable going forward recently, with Abel Ruiz and Lucas Piazon in rich veins of form, and that should seal a fairly routine win for Carlos Carvalhal's side.
