Preview: Boavista vs. Braga - prediction, team news, lineups

Braga make the trip to Boavista on Monday evening looking to keep the pressure on the top three in the Primeira Liga standings.

Meanwhile, the home side head into this contest looking to improve on three successive draws, results which have kept the club outside of the bottom two.

Match preview

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A slow start to the season has meant that Braga have always been playing catch-up with regards to remaining competitive in the Primeira Liga title race.

However, seven victories from eight matches have put Carlos Carvahal's side in a much more favourable position ahead of the turn of the year.

While the 2-1 defeat at Belenenses earlier this month halted Braga's surge, they were able to respond with a routine 3-0 success against Rio Ave in their most recent league outing.

Sitting just five points adrift of leaders Sporting Lisbon, Braga will feel confident about eventually closing down the gap, as well as keeping pace with Benfica and Porto.

The trip to Sporting follows the game on Monday evening, and Carvahal will stress to his squad that they must take advantage of their opportunity to make their presence known further up the table.

Despite Boavista's lowly position in the table, Braga will take nothing for granted against opponents who have already proven that they can get the better of the top teams in the division.

Os Axadrezados are still searching for consistency under Vasco Seabra, but the manner in which they dispatched of Benfica earlier in the season was a reminder of their qualities.

Just three points have followed from the next four matches, but their three stalemates during that period came against clubs occupying positions in the top 10.

Although they remain with the third-worst defensive record in the league, Seabra witnessed his side concede just one goal in the games against Belenenses, Rio Ave and Pacos de Ferreira.

Boavista Primeira Liga form: DWLDDD Boavista form (all competitions): LWDDLD

Braga Primeira Liga form: WWWWLW Braga form (all competitions): WLWWWW

Team News

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Despite only being held by Pacos de Ferreira through a late equaliser, Seabra may still make a couple of changes to his Boavista XI.

Nuno Santos could come in as a replacement for Gustavo Sauer, while Alejandro Gomez is in contention for a recall in the centre of defence.

Depending on the fitness of Wenderson Galeno, Carvahal could be forced into a reshuffle in defence and midfield.

If Galeno is absent, Nuno Sequeira may switch to left wing-back, with David Carmo being handed a recall to a three-man backline.

The six-day turnaround could result in the rest of the Braga side remaining the same.

Boavista possible starting lineup: Jardim; Cannon, Awaziem, Gomez, Hamache; Paulinho, Garcia, Santos; Elis, Gomes, Njie

Braga possible starting lineup: Matheus; Tormena, Viana, Carmo; Esgaio, Fransergio, Castro, Sequeira; Medeiros, Horta; Paulinho

We say: Boavista 1-2 Braga

While Boavista's sole success this season came against Benfica, they have not been able to produce that kind of performance on a regular basis. With that in mind, we are backing the visitors to edge a close contest on Sunday evening, potentially via a late goal when the home side are trying to hold onto a point.

Top betting tip