Victory over Estoril Praia in Minho this weekend could see Braga secure their top-four objective, with the visitors aiming to finish the campaign in the top half.
With three games left to play, the fourth-placed hosts sit five points clear of fifth in the Primeira Liga table, while the Canaries are 10th, one point behind ninth-placed Alverca and two adrift of Moreirense in eighth.
Match preview
Braga come into this encounter in buoyant mood after a dramatic European night in midweek, when they claimed a 2-1 home victory over Freiburg thanks to Mario Dogelese’s stoppage-time winner.
That result leaves Carlos Vicens’ side in a strong position ahead of next week’s Europa League semi-final second leg in Germany, while also serving as the perfect response to their 2-1 defeat at Santa Clara four days earlier.
The setback in the Azores ended the Arsenalistas’ four-match unbeaten run in the Primeira Liga (W3, D1), while continuing a curious trend, as Braga have dropped points in all seven of their last 16 league matches in which they conceded more than once (W9, D4, L3).
Three of those games came in their most recent four top-flight home outings (W1, D2, L1), leaving the Archbishops with eight victories from 15 Primeira Liga matches on their own turf this season (D4, L3), highlighting somewhat mixed form in familiar surroundings.
Recent meetings with Estoril have also not always been straightforward, with Braga held to a 2-2 draw in the last home league edition of this fixture, while also suffering a 1-0 defeat in this season’s reverse clash.
© Imago / Ball Raw Images
Seeking their first league double in this fixture since 1991-92, recent form suggests Estoril may fall short, with Ian Cathro’s men losing each of their last five matches – no side in the division is currently on a longer run of defeats.
A lack of cutting edge has also accompanied that poor spell, as the Canaries have failed to score in back-to-back outings, following their loss at Moreirense with another 1-0 defeat last weekend at home to Famalicao, where Justin De Haas’s second-half penalty proved decisive.
Estoril have now conceded 52 times in the Primeira Liga this season, with only Arouca (60) shipping more among teams above the relegation playoff spot, though Canarinhos have still managed 51 goals themselves, with only the current top four scoring more.
That said, avoiding defeat here could lift Cathro’s side into the top half, especially with ninth-placed Alverca facing a difficult trip to leaders Porto, but seven defeats in Estoril’s last 10 away league matches (W3) casts doubt over their chances of taking something from Braga.
Braga Primeira Liga form:
Braga form (all competitions):
Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:
Team News
© Imago / NurPhoto
The midweek win over Freiburg carried a cost for Braga, who saw captain Ricardo Horta forced off injured, with the attacker now expected to miss this weekend’s encounter.
That adds to an injury list already containing Diego Rodrigues, Bright Arrey-Mbi, Adrian Barisic and Sikou Niakate, all of whom are still recovering from their respective issues.
Braga must also do without midfielder Jean-Baptiste Gorby, who serves a suspension after accumulating bookings following his yellow card against Santa Clara.
Vicens may opt to rotate his squad with one eye on Thursday’s decisive second leg, and Dorgeles could be rewarded with a start after his match-winning cameo in midweek.
Meanwhile, Estoril remain without Kevin Boma, as the defender continues his recovery from the muscle injury that has sidelined him since mid-February.
Yanis Begraoui has scored 19 league goals this season, with only Sporting Lisbon’s Luis Suarez (25) and Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis (21) managing more, and the Moroccan forward will aim to return to scoring form after blanks in the last two matches.
Braga possible starting lineup:
Hornicek; Moscardo, Oliveira, V Carvalho; Lelo, Luisinho, Grillitsch, Mordomo; Dorgeles, El Ouazzani, Navaro
Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Turk; Ferreira, Bacher, Tsoungui; Sanchez, Xeka, Holsgrove, Amaral; Guitane, Begraoui, J. Carvalho
We say: Braga 1-0 Estoril Praia
With a crucial Europa League semi-final second leg looming next week, Vicens may rotate heavily here, which may make this a trickier contest than expected for Braga.
Nonetheless, Estoril arrive in poor form and may struggle to capitalise, so a narrow home victory looks the most likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
