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

Fresh off the back of a 6-0 mauling of Arouca, Braga play host to Famalicao at the Estadio Braga Municipal in round 17 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday.

The visitors head into the game without a win in any of the last five meetings between the sides since 2016 and will be desperate to end this dry spell.

Match preview

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Braga returned to winning ways in emphatic style as they steamrolled Arouca 6-0 when the sides squared off at the Estádio Municipal de Arouca last Thursday.

After Vitor Oliveira netted a first-half hat-trick to put the visitors three goals up heading into half time, Iuri Medeiros converted his 71st-minute penalty before substitute Roger Fernandes scored a brace to cap off a sensational team performance.

This followed a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Vizela on December 23 when Nuno Moreira scored the only goal of the game in the ninth minute to send Os Arcebispos crashing out of the Taca de Portugal.

However, Braga head into Sunday's game in fine form in the league, claiming four wins from their most recent five games with a 1-0 loss against Porto on December 12 being the only exception.

Carlos Carvalhal's men have picked up nine wins, four draws and lost four of their 16 Primeira Liga games to collect 31 points which sees them occupy fourth place on the log, six points behind Benfica in the Champions League qualification playoff spot.

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Meanwhile, after securing a ninth-placed finish in the Primeira Liga last term, Famalicao will be disappointed by their performance in the first half of the season as they find themselves scrambling for points in the relegation places.

The Vila Nova have won two, drawn five and lost eight of their 15 games so far to pick up 11 points and sit bottom but one on the log, three points above rock-bottom Belenenses.

Having seen their game against Belenenses postponed due to multiple COVID-19 cases, Famalica last took to the pitch on December 21 when they were dumped out of the Taca de Portugal by Portimonense on penalties.

Famalicao head into Sunday's game on a five-game winless run across all competitions, losing four and conceding 14 goals since November's 5-2 win at Boavista.

Team News

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Vitor Oliveira was handed just his fifth start of the season in the game against Arouca last time out and after turning in a performance of the highest calibre, we expect the Portuguese forward to be handed another starting role on Sunday.

On the injury front, Braga remain without defender David Carmo, who continues his spell on the sidelines after fracturing his ankle back in February, while Nuno Sequeira picked up a knee injury against Benfica on November 7.

Recent reports claim Raul Silva, Abel Ruiz and Fabiano Silva have all tested positive for COVID-19 and will join Ricardo Horta and Chiquinho in isolation after the duo previously contracted the virus.

Famalicao, on the other hand, will take to the pitch without Portuguese forward Heriberto Tavares after the 24-year-old fractured his right toe against Benfica.

Fellow countryman Diogo Figueiras is out of contention for the visitors after suffering a muscle problem versus Gil Vicente on December 5, while Ruben Lima has been out of action since October through a hip injury.

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Oliveira, Rodrigues, Leite; Couto, Musrati, A Horta, Al Musrati; Fernandes, Medeiros, Oliveira

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Figueiras, Penetra, Ricceli, Marin; Pepe, Pickel; B Rodrigues, Brazao, Jaime; Banza

We say: Braga 2-0 Famalicao

Braga will head into Sunday's game in sky-high spirits following their resounding win over Arouca last time out. We are tipping the hosts to claim all three points as they go up against an out-of-sorts Famalicao side, who have endured a horrid campaign so far.

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