Braga will look to return to winning ways and reignite their push for a top-three finish when they travel to Casa Pia this weekend in the penultimate Primeira Liga encounter of the 2024-25 campaign.
The Archbishops surrendered third place to Porto after back-to-back draws and now find themselves fourth on 65 points, while the hosts occupy ninth position with 42 points.
Match preview
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The draw at Famalicao was not particularly damaging given Porto's own slip-up at Estrela Amadora, but last weekend's 1-1 stalemate at home to Santa Clara came at a much higher cost, leaving Braga trailing the Dragons on goal difference.
Carlos Carvalhal's men have been repeatedly undone by sluggish openings, conceding early in both of their last two games and finding themselves chasing shadows, with Ricardo Horta's 47th-minute equaliser last time out offering mere salvage rather than satisfaction.
This means the Archbishops have now gone two consecutive league games without victory for the first time since December, though their unbeaten streak remains intact, with none of their last eight top-flight matches ending in defeat.
Despite picking up five wins in that stretch, Braga's form away from home has dipped, with just two victories from their last six trips in the Primeira Liga — a stark contrast to the previous six, where they had secured a flawless run.
Nevertheless, Carvalhal's side hold the division's third-best record on the road, having amassed 34 points from 16 matches, which should give them belief heading into Saturday's outing.
Their strength on their trips has come from a rock-solid defence, with Braga conceding the fewest away goals in the league (9), making their 21 scored in that department all the more impactful as they eye a return to third with a win at Estadio Pina Manique.
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Casa Pia's struggles in the final third continue to raise eyebrows, with the Geese firing blanks in three of their last five games and failing to record victory in any of their last five.
A 2-1 success over Rio Ave on March 29 remains their only victory in nine outings (D3, L5), a poor run that sharply contrasts with the ten matches prior, where the Geese had picked up seven wins and looked well placed for a continental push.
Now sitting on 42 points, Casa Pia are 12 adrift of Vitoria de Guimaraes — the side holding the final European berth — and with only two games left, their hopes of reaching the top five have long faded, though Os Gansos can still take pride in recording their best-ever top-flight tally, having eclipsed last season's total of 41.
That milestone was achieved through a gutsy goalless result at Arouca last weekend, where they played the entire second half a man down following Jose Fonte's red card just before the break.
Having alternated between stalemates and defeats in their last five, Casa Pia may draw some hope from having beaten Braga in the reverse fixture, although they have lost all three of their previous home games in this fixture.
The Geese have been solid enough at Pina Manique this term, collecting 25 points from a possible 48, and that should offer some encouragement as they look to end the season on a high.
Team News
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Casa Pia boss Joao Pereira will be forced to reshuffle at the back as captain Fonte serves a one-match suspension, with Joao Goulart expected to slot into central defence.
Iyad Mohamed is also suspended following his late dismissal against Arouca, which opens up a spot in midfield that Rafael Brito is likely to fill.
Caue misses out after reaching the yellow card threshold, meaning Jeremy Livolant is in line for a return on the flank.
Clau Mendes, Kiki and Duplexe Tchamba are all still recovering and will not feature this weekend.
For Braga, the only absentee remains Jonatas Noro, who has been ruled out due to a fitness concern.
Roger Fernandes, who was surprisingly benched last weekend, is expected to return to the starting lineup now that he is fully fit.
Paulo Oliveira is available once more after serving a suspension and is likely to partner Robson Bambu at the heart of defence.
Casa Pia possible starting lineup:
Sequeira; Goulart, Kluivert, Isaac; Lelo, Brito, Kraev, Larrazabal; Livolant, Cassiano, Osundina
Braga possible starting lineup:
Hornícek; Chissumba, Oliveira, Bambu, Gomez; Horta, Moutinho, Racic, Fernandes; Zalazar, Ouazzani
We say: Casa Pia 0-1 Braga
Although Braga have lacked sharpness in recent weeks, facing a struggling Casa Pia side without their captain at the back should hand them the edge, especially with third place still up for grabs and the visitors having more riding on the outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
