Braga will aim to take their own slice of the pie from Famalicao when they visit Estadio Municipal 22 de Junho on matchday 31 of the Primeira Liga, in a bid to tighten their grip on third place.
The Archbishops had to carve out their own path to reclaim the position, brushing aside Estoril Praia 2-0 a day after Fama returned empty-handed from their visit to Porto.
Match preview
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With Porto briefly climbing into third following their Saturday victory over Famalicao, the onus fell on Braga to respond in kind away at Estoril, and they did just that by seizing control early on.
Carlos Carvalhal's side struck within five minutes through Ismael Gharbi, who capped a blistering start by completing his brace before the 20-minute mark, with the scoreline remaining untouched for the rest of the contest.
That result saw Braga notch a fifth win in six Primeira Liga outings, taking their tally to 63 points from 19 victories, six draws and five defeats, which was enough to restore their slender one-point cushion over Porto.
Os Arcebispos also boast the second-best record on the road in the top flight, having racked up 32 points from a possible 45, with a rock-solid rearguard playing a pivotal role in that impressive return.
Braga have conceded just eight goals on their league travels – five fewer than any other side – and while their tally of 20 scored is the least among the top four away teams, it has proven decisive more often than not.
That resolute backline will be put through its paces by a team that managed to hit them for three earlier in the season, one of only two clubs to do so in the current campaign.
Braga had to claw their way back from two goals down in the reverse fixture, eventually salvaging a dramatic 3-3 scoreline on their own turf, in what remains Fama's last failure to hold onto a lead.
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Since that dramatic stalemate, Vila Nova have played 16 league matches, picking up seven victories, three draws and six defeats, a stretch that speaks to their steady rise in form.
Their 2-1 loss at Porto last weekend ended a perfect three-game run, but Hugo Oliveira's men remain firmly in seventh, with 43 points from 11 wins, 10 draws and nine defeats.
With four rounds to go, Famalicao still have their sights on what would be their highest-ever top-flight finish, sitting five points behind fifth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes, having never ended above sixth.
That target is not out of reach, especially with Fama's current home form, as they have triumphed in each of their last four matches at Estadio Municipal 22 de Junho and are unbeaten in their last six there.
Fuelled by defensive solidity, the hosts have conceded just once in those six matches on their turf, keeping five clean sheets along the way – a run that will surely test Braga's cutting edge in the final third.
Team News
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Oscar Aranda's suspension due to card accumulation deprives the hosts of a key attacking outlet, which could hand Gil Dias a chance to slot in on the left flank.
Pedro Bondo, who came off the bench to score a superb goal last weekend, is in contention to start at left-back as Oliveira considers a few tweaks.
Roger Fernandes is back in the squad for Braga, adding firepower to the bench, although he is not expected to be thrust into the lineup just yet.
Gharbi, having netted a brace at Estoril, is likely to keep his place out wide, which may see Gabri Martinez settle for a spot among the substitutes once more.
Robson Bambu and Amine El Ouazzani are both candidates to start in defence and attack, respectively, should Carvalhal opt to freshen things up.
Fran Navarro and Jonatas Noro remain sidelined for the visitors, with both players still working their way back to full fitness.
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Carevic; Francisco, Mihaj, Haas, Calegari; Looi, Topic; Dias, Sa, Sorriso; Elisor
Braga possible starting lineup:
Hornicek; Chissumba, Oliveira, Bambu, Gomez; Horta, Moutinho, Racic, Gharbi; Zalazar; Ouazzani
We say: Famalicao 1-2 Braga
Although both teams possess impressive defensive records – Famalicao's strength at home and Braga's tightness away – this fixture has historically delivered goals, with each of the last eight featuring three or more.
Given the visitors' hunger to retain third spot and their back-to-back wins on this ground, Braga might just have enough steel and savvy to edge what promises to be another eventful contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
