Soon after an exhausting Champions League dogfight on Wednesday night, Braga return to Primeira Liga action as they welcome an in-form Estoril Praia side to Estadio Municipal de Braga on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts kept their continental dreams alive with a draw against Union Berlin in the week, while Estoril have been afforded a full week of training following success in the Taca de Portugal last Sunday.
Match preview
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In a tricky-looking Group C of this season's Champions League, Braga know their fate in the competition will still be in their own hands on the final matchday in the middle of December, with Artur Jorge's men needing to travel to Napoli and win by two goals following a share of the spoils with Union on Wednesday.
The hosts at Estadio Municipal de Braga did extremely well to pick up a point as they played the majority of the match with a numeric disadvantage after centre-back Sikou Niakate received his marching orders for a lunging challenge, and although the Bundesliga strugglers took the lead through Robin Gosens, winger Alvaro Djalo was able to equalise in the second period.
With only the top-two spots in the Primeira Liga set to yield Champions League places for the 2024-25 revamped campaign, the Braguitas need to be flawless in order to keep up with the likes of Benfica and Sporting Lisbon at the top of the standings, with Jorge's charges currently fourth, five points behind Ruben Amorim's side in second.
Sunday's hosts may not be serious contenders for the Portuguese crown this term but they do possess the division's most potent attack to date, having netted a remarkable 30 goals in 11 league matches, with striker Simon Banza currently leading Primeira Liga's Golden Boot race after notching up 10 strikes.
Braga have won three league matches on the spin at the Estadio Municipal de Braga since a very respectable 1-1 draw against Sporting Lisbon on September 3, with the last domestic game in front of their home faithful resulting in a 6-1 mauling of Portimonense in early November, when Banza bagged a hat-trick and captain Ricardo Horta also got onto the scoresheet.
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Following an unnerving beginning to the campaign which had supporters worrying about a relegation battle, Estoril have strung together a run of three-straight wins across the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal to clear the dark clouds surrounding the Estadio Antonio Coimbra de Mota.
Facing second-tier Mafra in the final 32 of the cup last Sunday, Vasco Seabra's men unexpectedly went behind in the 28th minute due to a strike from Diogo Almeida for the visitors, but second-half goals from Heri Tavares and former Fortaleza man Cassiano sealed the hosts' spot in the fifth round.
The Canarinhos currently occupy 13th position in the Primeira Liga standings after collecting a modest 10 points from their opening 11 contests, although the gap to 16th-placed Rio Ave is just a single point, while Sunday's visitors only have a four-point buffer between themselves and bottom side Arouca.
Estoril have struggled massively on their travels so far this term, gaining only three points from six contests away from home, but that solitary maximum came during their most recent venture into enemy territory, with a goal from Scotsman Jordan Holsgrove proving enough to win at Estadio Do Dragao against Porto on November 3.
Seabra's side have a number of talented youngsters who are helping the club steer away from worries at the foot of the table and 22-year-old Tiago Araujo definitely falls into that category, with the wing-back reportedly attracting interest from Scottish champions Celtic ahead of the January transfer window.
Team News
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Braga are sweating over the fitness of Al Musrati and attacker Bruma ahead of Sunday afternoon's clash, with the pair missing the Champions League draw against Union due to knocks.
After a physically-draining contest on Wednesday night, Jorge is expected to freshen up his starting XI, meaning the likes of Andre Horta and Roger Fernandes could be handed places in the engine room.
Defender Niakate was afforded an unwanted rest after he was sent off in the early stages in midweek, so the Mali international is likely to start this weekend, alongside either veteran Jose Fonte or Serdar Saatci.
Estoril remain without the services of former Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala, with the 32-year-old last featuring in the 2-1 loss at Estrela da Amadora in late August.
Erick Cabaco was a regular fixture in the visitors' backline before picking up a muscle injury at the start of November - the Uruguayan is expected back in a few weeks.
After almost three months without any first-team minutes, right-back Raul Parra returned to Seabra's side during the cup win over Mafra, and with Rodrigo Gomes unable to face his parent club, the Spaniard could be gifted a rare league start.
Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Gomez, Saatci, Niakate, Borja; Fernandes, Carvalho, Djalo, Zalazar, A Horta; Banza
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Carne; Volnei, Alvaro, Vital; Parra, Holsgrove, Fernandes, Araujo; Guitane, J Marques, A Marques
We say: Braga 2-1 Estoril Praia
Braga put in a huge effort to earn a point off Union Berlin on Wednesday, but the hosts should be able to rotate their side to good effect on Sunday.
Estoril are enjoying a slight upturn in form but have been largely unconvincing on the road this term, and we expect that theme to continue in this one.
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