Braga could secure their top-four objective with a victory over Estoril Praia. The visitors, meanwhile, are aiming to finish the campaign in the top half of the Primeira Liga.
Braga’s Recent Form
The fourth-placed hosts are five points clear of fifth with three games left to play. Estoril Praia are 10th, one point behind ninth-placed Alverca and two adrift of Moreirense in eighth.
Braga are in buoyant mood after their 2-1 home victory over Freiburg in midweek, thanks to Mario Dogelese’s stoppage-time winner. That result puts Carlos Vicens’ side in a strong position ahead of the Europa League semi-final second leg in Germany, and served as the perfect response to their 2-1 defeat at Santa Clara four days earlier.
The setback in the Azores ended the Arsenalistas’ four-match unbeaten run in the Primeira Liga (W3, D1). Braga have dropped points in all seven of their last 16 league matches in which they conceded more than once (W9, D4, L3). Three of those games came in their most recent four top-flight home outings (W1, D2, L1), leaving them with eight victories from 15 Primeira Liga matches on their own turf this season (D4, L3).
Estoril’s Struggles and Aims
Recent meetings with Estoril have not always been straightforward. Braga were held to a 2-2 draw in the last home league edition of this fixture, and suffered a 1-0 defeat in this season’s reverse clash.
Estoril may fall short of securing their first league double in this fixture since 1991-92, with Ian Cathro’s men losing each of their last five matches. No side in the division is currently on a longer run of defeats.
The Canaries have failed to score in back-to-back outings. They followed their loss at Moreirense with another 1-0 defeat last weekend at home to Famalicao, where Justin De Haas’s second-half penalty proved decisive.
- Estoril have conceded 52 times in the Primeira Liga this season.
- Only Arouca (60) have shipped more among teams above the relegation playoff spot.
- Canarinhos have still managed 51 goals themselves, with only the current top four scoring more.
Avoiding defeat here could lift Cathro’s side into the top half, especially with ninth-placed Alverca facing a difficult trip to leaders Porto. However, seven defeats in Estoril’s last 10 away league matches (W3) casts doubt over their chances of taking something from Braga.
Injury Concerns for Braga
The midweek win over Freiburg carried a cost for Braga. Captain Ricardo Horta was forced off injured, and is now expected to miss this weekend’s encounter.