Preview: Alverca vs Braga - prediction, team news, lineups

Following their midweek triumph on the continental stage, Braga will head to newly promoted Alverca this weekend seeking to preserve their flawless start in the Primeira Liga.

The Archbishops secured progress to the playoff round of the Europa League qualifiers with a 2-0 victory over CFR Cluj on Thursday to seal a 4-1 aggregate win.

Match preview

A demanding schedule, with European commitments intertwined with domestic duty over the past week, but Braga can take comfort in their favourable early run of fixtures in the Primeira Liga.

Braga opened their league campaign by brushing aside Tondela 3-0 on home soil and will now meet another newly promoted outfit in Alveca before facing an AVS side that only retained their top-flight status via the playoff.

It would not be far-fetched if head coach Carlos Vicens had nine points circled in his mind for this sequence, especially given the club’s ambition to challenge the established ‘big three’ for the title after years in their shadow, including last season’s fourth-place finish.

Nevertheless, Braga will know they must be fully switched on, as past encounters with Alverca have not always been straightforward, registering only four victories in 10 meetings, though their last visit ended in a 2-1 success.

That result came back in the 2023-24 season before the Vila Franca de Xira outfit were relegated, with their return to the top flight sealed this term.

This promotion was masterminded by Vasco Botelho da Costa, who steered the team to second place in Liga Portugal 2 before departing in the summer.

Last weekend’s opener proved to be a reunion with their former boss, whose Morierense side prevailed 2-1 against Alverca, although Custodio Castro’s men gave a good account of themselves, with only Yan Maranhao’s stoppage-time strike denying them a share of the spoils.

Encouraged by that spirited away display, the newcomers will fancy their chances this weekend when Braga visit the Complexo Desportivo FC Alverca, particularly as they remain unbeaten in 12 competitive home matches.

Alverca Primeira Liga form:

Alverca form (all competitions):

Braga Primeira Liga form:

Braga form (all competitions):

Team News

Francisco Chissumba, who was signed on loan from Braga in midweek, is ineligible to face his parent club, while the clash may also come too soon for fellow recent arrival Julian Martinez.

Forward Marko Milovanovic scored from the penalty spot on his debut last weekend and will be eager to retain his starting berth.

Rodrigo Zalazar will be riding high on confidence after netting twice in midweek during Braga’s Europa League qualifier and is expected to start again here.

Record signing Pau Victor has been in fine form and could lead the attack on Sunday, with Fran Navarro likely to make way.

Leonardo Lelo was a standout performer in the win over Tondela and is set to return to the defensive flanks, having been rested against Cluj.

Alverca possible starting lineup:

Gomes; Meupiyou, Baseya, Naves; James, Amorim, Mendes, Esteves; Nuozzi, Milovanovic, Chiquinho

Braga possible starting lineup:

Hornicek; Lelo, Oliveira, Lagerbielke, Gomez; Zalazar, Gorby, Carvalho; Horta, Víctor, Dorgeles

We say: Alverca 1-2 Braga

Alveca showed last weekend that they are not a side to be easily brushed aside, so this encounter may not be straightforward for Braga, who also have a congested schedule to manage, yet the visitors’ superior quality should see them claim maximum points.

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