Primeira Liga | Gameweek 9

Oct 27, 2024 at 3.30pm UK

Estadio Municipal de Braga

Braga vs Farense

Match preview

Braga suffered a second straight loss in the Europa League, falling to a 2-1 defeat against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on their home turf last Wednesday.

In a game where Sikou Niakate was sent off, things really picked up in the second half. Hakon Evjen and Villads Nielsen scored either side of Niakate's 64th-minute equaliser, giving Glimt the win.

Braga started their Europa League journey on September 26 with a 2-1 comeback win over Maccabi Tel Aviv thanks to a late brace from Bruna. This was followed by a 3-0 thrashing against Olympiacos in Greece.

Before Wednesday's loss, Os Arcebispos held on to beat Dezembro 2-1 and secure their spot in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal on September 19. Rodrigo Zalazar and João Moutinho scored in the first and second half, respectively.

Braga is now focusing on the Primeira Liga, where they had two back-to-back victories, but then lost 2-1 to Porto at the Estadio do Dragao before the international break.

Carlos Carvalhal's team has won four and drawn two of their eight games so far this season, earning 14 points and sitting in fifth place in the standings, tied with sixth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Meanwhile, Farense got off to a flying start in the 2024-25 Taca de Portugal with a 4-2 win over Sanjoanense at the Estadio Conde Dias Garcia last Saturday.

The Liga 3 team gave it their all in front of their home crowd, but the visitors were just too strong. Alex Bermejo Escribano scored twice, and an own goal from Duarte Maneta and Raul Silva's goal in the 83rd minute sealed the deal. It was a solid team effort.

Farnese is now turning its attention to the Primeira Liga, where it secured its first win of the season on October 6. The team edged out Estoril Praia 1-0 thanks to a dramatic 95th-minute strike from Silva.

Toze Marreco's men had struggled to win any of their opening seven matches. They suffered six consecutive defeats to start the campaign and held out for a goalless draw against newly-promoted AVS on September 30.

While Farense have shown some improvement recently, they're still at the bottom of the Primeira Liga table with just four points from 24 possible. They could move up to 13th with a win this weekend.

Recent Performance

Braga Primeira Liga form:WDLWWL

Braga form (all competitions):WWLLWL

SC Farense Primeira Liga form:LLLLDW

SC Farense form (all competitions):LLLDWW

Team News

Braga will be without German defender Bright Arrey-Mbi for a third consecutive game after he was injured while on international duty against Poland's Under-21 team on October 15.

Robson Bambu, the Brazilian defender, is also on the injury list. He's been out since August, when he picked up a thigh injury against Rapid Vienna.

Niakate got sent off in the midweek match against Bodo/Glimt, but the 25-year-old is good to go this weekend. He'll probably play with Victor Gomez, Joao Ferreira, and Adrian Marin in the back four, protecting Matheus Lima in goal.

The visitors will also be without Luiz Felipe, who is still out with a bad injury from February.

Kaique Pereira has been out of action since picking up a forearm injury back in July, so the 21-year-old goalkeeper won't be available for the trip to the Estadio Braga Municipal either.

Possible starting lineups

Braga possible starting lineup:

Lima; Gomez, Ferreira, Niakate, Marin; Moutinho, Zalazar; Bruma, Horta, Fernandes; Jaen

SC Farense possible starting lineup:

Velho; Pastor, Jorge, Africo, Poloni; Silva, Falcao, Neto, Balde, Millan, Bermejo