Two undefeated sides after two games in Braga and Moreirense battle in Sunday's Primeira Liga gameweek three match at Estadio Municipal de Braga.
Despite last season's double over their opponents, the away side enter Sunday's match with renewed confidence, aiming to break a five-year drought of competitive victories against Os Arcebispos.
Match preview
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Nothing quite epitomises one-sided than Braga's winning run against Moreirense.
Since a 1-0 reverse in April 2019, both sides have faced off in competitive matches nine times and Braga have claimed victories in every game, including last season's hard-fought victories.
One goal separated these local rivals, with the corresponding fixture ending 1-0 and after Os Arcebispos notched a 3-2 triumph in the reverse fixture at Moreirense in September.
Despite Braga's nine-match streak, only one victory had a winning margin of more than two goals, coming in a 4-0 success in February 2021, highlighting that the Archbishops have had to battle in those games.
Another closely-contested match could be on the cards on Sunday, as Carlos Carvalhal's men aim for a 10th consecutive competitive victory in this local derby.
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Moreirense, aiming to break a nine-game losing streak in this fixture, seek to capitalise on their strong start to the 2024-25 season and Braga's Europa League commitments.
Cesar Peixoto's men have notched victories over Farense (2-1) and Arouca (3-1) in rounds one and two, continuing their impressive winning streak from the backend of last season.
Os verdes e brancos secured four victories to close out the 2023-24 campaign and have added two more this term, taking the Green and Whites to six wins on the trot before facing their nemesis.
The Minho outfit will point to a pre-season success over Braga as an indicator of the tide turning this weekend, but they must perform at a higher level to match the non-competitive 2-0 win in July.
The unblemished away side are one of five clubs — Sporting, Famalicao, Porto and Vitoria Guimaraes — to notch wins in the opening rounds, and Moreirense face their toughest challenge yet to keep that going at Braga.
Team News
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Bruma's departure due to an injury after just 23 minutes in Braga's Europa League playoff round first leg against Rapid Vienna casts doubt on his availability for Sunday's match.
Thus, the forward could join Paulo Oliveira and Sikou Niakate on the sidelines if Thursday's injury persists, depleting the home side's options.
Luis Asue has scored twice for Moreirense this term, notching the winner against Farense and the equaliser last weekend at home to Arouca, and the forward seeks to add to his tally against Braga.
While Hernani Infande is not anticipated to feature for the away side, Alan and Madson de Souza Silva are touch-and-go for Sunday.
Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Gomez, Arrey-Mbi, Bambu, Marin; Fernandes, Zalazar, Carvalho; Horta, El Ouazzani, Martinez
Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Pinto, Marcelo, Maracas, Frimpong; Ofori, Ismael; Silva, Alan, Antonisse; Asue
We say: Braga 2-2 Moreirense
Every Braga win under Carvalhal has been by a one-goal margin, but they could come unstuck against in-form Moreirense in the Minho derby. Despite the previous nine competitive matches going Braga's way, the away side's ongoing form should see them end that run this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
