Amadora Star vs Braga – News and Probable Lineups

Braga has the opportunity to move into the top five of the early-season Primeira Liga table as they visit Estrela Amadora for their rescheduled matchday-three clash at Estadio Jose Gomes on Thursday evening.

This fixture, initially scheduled for August 23, was postponed due to the commitments of the Archbishops in continental competitions, arriving with the visitors from Minho currently positioned sixth while their hosts from Reboleira sit ninth.

Match overview

Braga’s ambitions to finish among the top three have intensified this season, particularly following a fourth-place finish for the third consecutive year last term. They missed out on a potential Europa League spot after Torreense’s unexpected victory in the Taca de Portugal against Sporting Lisbon.

This season, the Archbishops’ aspirations for a top-three finish have been hindered by a disrupted schedule, with two of their first five league fixtures rescheduled. Their home game against Gil Vicente on matchday two was postponed due to a gastrointestinal bug affecting the squad.

Nonetheless, Carlos Vicens’s squad successfully advanced in the Conference League, securing their place in the group stage with a 2-0 aggregate victory over Áustria Vienna in the playoffs, while they have also garnered seven points from their three league matches so far this season.

Braga began their Primeira Liga campaign with a draw against Moreirense, followed by a tightly contested victory in the Minho derby against Vitoria de Guimaraes in matchday four, capped by last weekend’s comeback win over Alverca, inspired by Pau Victor’s two goals securing a 2-1 result.

A win on Thursday would mark three consecutive league victories for the Archbishops, something they have not achieved since their run of four straight wins from mid-January to late February. However, they possess just two victories in their last seven visits (D5) to Jose Gomes, which raises some concerns.

On the other side, Estrela Amadora has shown resilience this season, maintaining an unbeaten streak of four matches, which includes three draws, with their sole victory coming from an exciting away game at Nacional during matchday four.

This term, Pepa’s squad has established itself as an engaging team, scoring and conceding several goals in each of their four league matches, amassing nine goals while allowing eight, as showcased in last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Famalicao.

The Tricolores initially fell behind to a Georgios Koutsias strike but turned the tide with goals from Leandro Antonetti and Max Scholze, only to concede again as Koutsias netted from the penalty spot to level the contest.

This result brings to light the recurring issue from last season, where Estrela struggled to convert draws into victories, recording a league-high 12 draws in the 2025-26 campaign, just managing to remain above the relegation playoff spot under the leadership of Cristiano Bacci, who left following a three-game stint.

Pepa is keen to build on his promising start at Reboleira, but he will be acutely aware that the Tricolores have gone winless in their last five home league matches, with the past three, dating back to the last campaign, ending in draws.

Team News

Braga is likely to continue managing the absence of long-term injury victim Sikou Niakate (Achilles), while Jean-Baptiste Gorby is doubtful and captain Ricardo Horta looks to regain his full fitness after suffering a muscle injury.

On a brighter note, Jonas Wind and Bright Arrey-Mbi are both back in contention, having been included on the bench as unused substitutes in the last match, with the former aiming for his first appearance on Thursday.

Head coach Vicens made three changes at the half during the encounter against Alverca, with Gabri Martinez, Sergio Barcia, and Fran Navarro all vying for a starting position after their substitutions.

Regarding Estrela, Emerson Pedro Vanga will undergo a late fitness assessment following an injury that forced him off in the first half against Famalicao last weekend, while Kevin Hoog Jansson remains uncertain, having not participated in any matches this season.

Antonetti comes into this match looking to extend his impressive scoring streak, having netted in each of the Tricolores’ four matches this season. He is expected to maintain his position as the main striker.

Estrela Amadora probable starting XI:

Link; Scholze, Patrick, Lekovic Soares; Doue, Robinho; Marcus, Zvonarek, Stoica; Antonetti

Braga probable starting XI:

Sources; Lagerbielke, Barcia, Carvalho; Gomez, Tiknaz, Moutinho, Martinez; Rodrigues, Victor, Dorgeles

The two teams faced each other on the final day of the previous season, which concluded in a 2-2 draw, and we anticipate a similar result here, given the trend seen in Estrela’s matches, with the hosts likely to challenge Braga on their home turf.