Fresh off the back of a humbling Europa League defeat, Braga play host to Famalicao at the Estadio Braga Municipal in round 14 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Monday.
The Vila Nova have failed to taste victory in any of their last four outings across all competitions since the first week of November and will head into the game looking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
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Braga continued to struggle for consistency in the Europa League as they suffered a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Serie A outfit Roma when the two teams squared off on Thursday.
In an action-packed contest at Stadio Olimpico, Lorenzo Pellegrini struck in the 10th minute to hand Roma a first-half lead before Saud Abdulhamid and substitute Mario Hermoso found the back of the net in the second half to cap off a dominant team display.
With that result, Braga have now failed to win four of their six Europa League matches, losing three and claiming one draw, while picking up two wins to collect just seven points from a possible 18 and sit 25th in the table, just outside the playoff places.
Carlos Carvalhal's men now turn their focus to the Primeira Liga, where they have enjoyed a decent campaign so far and look set to battle for European qualification as they currently occupy fifth place in the standings.
With a third of the season gone, Os Arcebispos have picked up 24 points from their 13 Primeira Liga matches while losing three and claiming three draws to collect 24 points, three points off fourth-placed Santa Clara in the Conference League qualifying spot.
Braga head into Monday's clash unbeaten in all but one of their last five home games across all competitions — claiming three wins and one draw — with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Primeira Liga leaders Sporting Lisbon being the exception.
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Elsewhere, Famalicao were left with a bitter taste of "what could have been" last time out when they played out a 1-1 stalemate with league heavyweight Porto at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao.
Samu Aghehowa struck in the 52nd minute to cancel out Oscar Aranda's first-half opener and draw Porto level, but when the hosts were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute, Aranda failed to convert from the spot as he was denied by an inspired Diogo Costa between the sticks for the Dragoes.
With that result, Famalicao have now failed to taste victory in any of their last four matches across all competitions, claiming two draws and losing twice, including a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Santa Clara in the Taca de Portugal fourth round on November 24.
The Vila Nova head into Monday on a run of just one win from their last 10 league outings while losing three and claiming six draws — having won three back-to-back matches to start the campaign.
For all their recent struggles, Famalicao sit eighth in the Primeira Liga standings with 18 points from a possible 39 and could move level with sixth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes with all three points on Monday.
However, Hugo Oliveira's men will need to show their mettle at the Estadio Braga Municipal as they have failed to win nine of their last 11 matches against Braga, losing five and claiming four draws since July 2016.
Team News
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Braga goalkeeper Matheus Lima received his marching orders in the Europa League clash against Roma in midweek but the 32-year-old is eligible for Monday's tie and should start between the sticks.
Sikou Niakate was a notable absentee in the clash versus Roma but the Malian defender should return to the fold, forming the three-man defence with Joao Ferreira and 21-year-old Bright Arrey-Mbi.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Moroccan striker Amine El Ouazzani should spearhead Os Arcebispos' attack once again, teaming up with Ricardo Horta and 30-year-old Bruma, who boasts nine goal involvements in 11 league games.
Like the home side, Famalicao head into the game with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Oliveira a full-strength squad at his disposal.
Despite missing the chance to put the Vila Nova in front from the spot against Porto last time out, Aranda now has three goals in his last five games and the Spanish forward should lead the visitors' attack once again.
Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Ferreira, Niakate, Arrey-Mbi; Fernandes, Carvalho, Moutinho, Martinez; Horta, Bruma, El Ouazzani
Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Zlobin; Calegari, Riccieli, Mihaj, Soares; Youssouf, Topic; Dias, Sa, Rochinha; Aranda
We say: Braga 2-0 Famalicao
Off the back of a disappointing defeat in Europe, Braga will return home looking to restore some pride and move into the top half of the Primeira Liga standings. Famalicao have struggled for results in the league in recent weeks and we fancy Carvalhal's side to come away with all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
