Braga vs Famalicão – News and Probable Lineups

Braga will be looking to avenge their recent cup elimination to local rivals when they host Famalicao at Estadio Municipal de Braga on Sunday for matchday 10 of the Primeira Liga.

The home side currently occupies ninth place in the Liga Portugal standings, having accrued 11 points from nine fixtures, sitting just one point and two positions ahead of their opponents, who have had a more positive run of form following a managerial switch.

Match overview

Braga has faced a challenging period in the league, securing only three wins from their first nine top-tier matches and suffering defeats in their last three encounters against Sporting Lisbon (3-1), Gil Vicente (2-1), and Nacional (1-0).

The most recent setback occurred last weekend when a strike from Miguel Baeza in the 19th minute handed Franclim Carvalho defeat in his debut league match after taking over from Carlos Vicens.

Things took a turn for the worse for Carvalho’s team on Thursday as they were knocked out by Famalicao on penalties in the Taca da Liga after battling back to draw 2-2, leaving the Arsenalists with a solitary win in their last seven outings across all competitions.

This result also marked Braga’s four-match winless streak at home against Azuis e Brancos, with their last three clashes ending in draws after 90 minutes, including a 2-2 deadlock when the two teams faced each other in the Primeira Liga in April.

The Archbishops recognize the need to enhance their attacking performance if they want to break this unwelcome streak this weekend, having scored only nine goals in the league this term, with only Gil Vicente (eight) netting fewer among teams currently above the relegation playoff zone.

Meanwhile, Famalicao seems to be trending positively after achieving back-to-back victories under interim coach Ricardo Silva, who took over following the departure of seasoned manager Carlos Carvalhal.

Since taking charge, Silva has presided over two unbeaten matches, with Famalicao’s Taca da Liga victory against Braga following a resounding 4-0 league win over Rio Ave, highlighted by second-half goals from Romeo Beney and Pedro Santos, capped off by a late brace from Oscar Aranda.

This outcome marked Famalicao’s second league win in nine matches (D4, L3), with both triumphs coming away from home, including a 4-0 success at Nacional on September 19, providing them with renewed hope ahead of Sunday’s clash.

Azuis e Brancos have found the net 14 times in the Primeira Liga this season, with only the top three teams—Porto (21), Benfica (26), and Sporting Lisbon (21)—scoring more frequently, while Famalicao’s 11 goals conceded also suggest a relatively balanced record at both ends of the pitch.

Nonetheless, Famalicao has not triumphed over Braga in their last five league encounters, a streak they will be eager to break as they aim for consecutive top-flight wins for the first time since clinching three in a row back in March.

Team News

Braga may once again be without the services of Gabriel Silva, who picked up an injury during the loss to Nacional, while Sikou Niakate remains out of action with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Fran Navarro was the focal point in Thursday’s cup match, but Jovan Milosevic could be brought back to lead the line, with captain Ricardo Horta and Pau Victor likely to provide support from the wings.

Famalicao is assessing the fitness of Mathias De Amorim, who had to be substituted in the first half of their last match and remains a significant doubt for this fixture.

Georgios Koutsias comes into this match with confidence after netting twice in their prior encounter, bringing his total to seven goals across all competitions this season, and is expected to spearhead the attack once more.

Braga probable starting XI:

Bernard; Lagerbielke, V Carvalho, Bajrami; V Gomez, Moutinho, Gorby, G Martinez; Horta, P Victor; Milosevic

Famalicao probable starting XI:

Carevic; Pinheiro, Rofinho, Realpe, Bondo; Van de Looi, Szuca; Beney, Moreira, Sorriso; Koutsias.

Famalicao has seen better results in recent weeks and will carry confidence from Thursday’s cup victory, yet Braga will be determined to bounce back following that setback, and it’s anticipated that the hosts might take their revenge in what is expected to be another closely fought matchup.