Seeking to close out their 2021-2022 Primeira Liga campaign with a third win on the trot, Famalicao play host to Braga at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao on Sunday.

Os Arcebispos, on the other hand, head into the game unbeaten in each of their last six games against the hosts since 2016 and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling.

Match preview

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Famalicao picked up successive Primeira Liga victories for the first time since February when they saw off Belenenses 3-2 at the Estadio Nacional do Jamor last Monday.

Adrian Marin and Bruno Rodrigues scored to cancel out Alex Nascimento's first half-half own goal and turn the tie around, and after Yves Baraye restored parity with a 93rd-minute strike, Pepe struck two minutes later to hand the visitors all three points.

Prior to that, the Vila Nova ended their seven-game winless run with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Estoril Praia on April 29, when Marin, Heriberto Tavares and Junior Kadile found the target to wrap up a superb team performance.

Rui Silva's men have now won eight, drawn 12 and lost 13 of their 33 games this season to collect 36 points and sit 12th in the Primeira Liga standings, but could rise as high as eighth with all three points on Sunday.

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Elsewhere, Braga maintained their fine run of results as they picked up a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a dogged Arouca side at the Estadio Braga Municipal last time out.

The Arouquenses put on a solid defensive display to keep the scores level for most of the game, but Ricardo Horta came up clutch in front of the home crowd as he broke the deadlock with just three minutes left to play.

Carlos Carvalhal's side have now won each of their last three league outings, while picking up 19 points from a possible 21 since a 1-0 defeat against Gil Vicente on March 13.

This impressive run has been owing to the solid job done at both ends of the pitch as Braga have scored nine goals since their defeat to the Gilistas and are currently on a run of five clean sheets in their last five games.

Os Arcebispos have already secured their spot in next season's Conference League as they sit fourth in the league standings after picking up 65 points from their 33 games so far.

Team News

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Famalicao will take to the pitch without the services of Portuguese midfielder David Tavares, who continues his journey to full fitness after picking up an ACL injury.

He is joined on the club's injury table by fellow countryman Ruben Lima after the 32-year-old defender sustained a muscle problem back in January.

Spanish midfielder Ivan Jamie is also out of contention for the Vila Nova as he continues his journey to full fitness after picking up a knee injury in January's game against Arouca.

After registering one goal and an assist in last week's victory over Belenenses, Pepe now has 11 goal involvements to his name this season and the 24-year-old midfielder will certainly be one to keep an eye out for.

As for Braga, Carvalhal will be unable to call upon Portuguese defender Nuno Sequeira, who has been out of action since last November through a muscle problem.

Twenty-seven-year-old forward Iuri Medeiros, who boasts six goals and seven assists under his belt, is also out of contention for the visitors after picking up an injury in April's Europa League game against Rangers.

Famalicao possible starting lineup:
Junior; Nascimento, Riccieli; Fuente, Tavares, Pickel, Pepe, Marin; Teixeira, Banza, B Rodrigues

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Tormena, Carmo, P Oliveira; Moura, Al Musrati, Couto, A Horta; Gomes, R Horta, V Oliveira

We say: Famalicao 2-3 Braga

While Famalicao will be looking to wrap up their season with a third consecutive victory, next up is a rampant Braga side who have dropped points just once in their last seven league outings. We expect a thrilling final-day showdown at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao with the visitors coming away with all three points.

Written by
Joshua Ojele

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