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Braga
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 13
Dec 5, 2021 at 8.30pm UK
Estadio Municipal
Estoril

Braga
2 - 0
Estoril

Horta (34', 39')
Oliveira (13'), Silva (15'), Mineiro (20'), Gorby (81'), Silva (90+6')
Mineiro (65')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Fonte (49'), Soria (57'), Baro (71')

Preview: Braga vs. Estoril Praia - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Primeira Liga clash between Braga and Estoril Praia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Braga and Estoril Praia square off on Sunday evening with just one point separating the two clubs in the Primeira Liga standings.

While the top three have already surged clear above them, these two sides are eager to remain as the best of the rest in the race for the European places.


Match preview

Braga coach Carlos Carvalhal in February 2021© Reuters

Braga enter every domestic campaign with ambitions of matching the biggest clubs in the division, but their inconsistency has already left them scrapping for fourth position.

To their credit, they have only suffered one defeat in 10 league fixtures, but that solitary setback came by a 6-1 scoreline at Benfica, further strengthening the feeling that they should no longer be regarded as realistic title contenders.

Carlos Carvalhal's team bounced back from that capitulation with a 4-1 victory over Vizela, Ricardo Horta taking his domestic tally for the season to seven goals courtesy of a double.

A period of four draws in five games cost Braga earlier in the campaign, and it has heaped the pressure on delivering three points in fixtures such as this one.

On the plus side, Braga have put together a 10-game unbeaten streak at Estadio Municipal de Braga since losing to Sporting Lisbon in the middle of August.

Many observers of Portugal's top flight have been waiting for Estoril to finally wilt after their astonishing start to their first campaign in the division.

However, Bruno Pinheiro's side continue to impress, Canarinhos twice having to come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Santa Clara last time out.

Although Pinheiro would have been hoping for more against the league's bottom club, their latest show of character extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight fixtures.

Estoril have only lost twice all season, each time by 1-0 scorelines, and you have to go back to August 1 for the last occasion that they suffered an away defeat.

Braga Primeira Liga form:
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W

Braga form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W

Estoril Praia Primeira Liga form:
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • D

Estoril Praia form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • D



Team News

Having scored as a substitute last time out, Abel Ruiz is expected to be restored to the Braga XI.

Francisco Moura impressed on his first start of the season at left wing-back, but Galeno should come back into the team.

Andre Franco made an impression as a substitute for Estoril against Santa Clara and could earn an opportunity on Sunday.

Chiquinho, who is without a start in two months, is also in contention for a return in the final third.

Defender Lucas Africo is sidelined for the rest for the season with the injury that he sustained at the beginning of November.

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Oliveira, Leite, Silva; Couto, A. Horta, Castro, Galeno; Medeiros, Ruiz, R. Horta

Estoril Praia possible starting lineup:
Figueira; Soria, Ferraresi, Willian, Joaozinho; Rosier, Gamboa, Franco; Chiquinho, Ruiz, Gomes


SM words green background

We say: Braga 1-1 Estoril Praia

Neither team have been strangers to recording a draw this season, and we cannot back against that outcome for this fixture. While Estoril would be the happier of the two sides, Braga would not say not to avoiding defeat against the surprise package.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Braga win with a probability of 58.99%. A draw had a probability of 23.2% and a win for Estoril Praia had a probability of 17.79%.

The most likely scoreline for a Braga win was 1-0 with a probability of 12.96%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (11.4%) and 2-1 (9.68%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (10.99%), while for a Estoril Praia win it was 0-1 (6.25%). The actual scoreline of 2-0 was predicted with an 11.4% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Braga would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Braga vs Estoril

Braga
76.0%
Draw
20.0%
Estoril Praia
4.0%
25
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon25212275255065
2Benfica26204260213964
3Porto26184450183258
4Braga26165555342153
5Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes26155641271450
6MoreirenseMoreirense2612682827142
7AroucaArouca26104124337634
8FamalicaoFamalicao2561092430-628
9Gil Vicente2677123539-428
10BoavistaBoavista2677123351-1828
11Casa Pia2676132339-1627
12SC FarenseFarense2676133438-427
13Estrela Amadora2668122639-1326
14Estoril PraiaEstoril2674154249-725
15Rio AveRio Ave2641392635-925
16PortimonensePortimonense2665152453-2923
17Vizela2649132652-2621
18ChavesChaves2647152556-3119


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