Preview: Lincoln Red Imps vs Braga - prediction, team news, lineups

The Estadio do Algarve provides the backdrop for a significant Europa League tie on Thursday evening as Lincoln Red Imps square off with Sporting Braga.

Both sides step into the contest with different ambitions, yet only one will impose their will when the lights come on.

Match preview

For Lincoln Red Imps, this occasion represents another chance to stretch their story beyond the borders of Gibraltar.

They have already negotiated tricky qualifying stages to reach this point, edging Armenian side Noah in a tense penalty shootout to seal progress after being cast aside by Crvena Zvezda in Champions League qualifying.

Their campaign has therefore been a patchwork of resilience and realism, knowing that the Conference League group phase is already secured but daring to dream of more.

The champions of Gibraltar arrive with a healthy domestic record of 26 wins from 39 matches last season, and at home they have been capable of digging out results, winning once and drawing once in their last two outings.

The Gibraltarians may not boast the glamour or depth of their opponents, but there is a clear sense that occasions like this are what sustain their ambition, and Juan Bezares’s side will not want to roll over meekly in front of their supporters.

Braga, on the other hand, approach this fixture with both pedigree and expectation. The Portuguese side made light work of their qualifying assignment against CFR Cluj, swatting the Romanians aside 4-1 on aggregate to underline their attacking strength.

That result came hot on the heels of a convincing 3-0 win over Alverca in their domestic league, suggesting Carlos Vicens’s men are finding rhythm at the right time.

This is a club that has regularly navigated European group stages, and their ambitions are set much higher than simply making up the numbers.

In recent years, Braga have attempted to break the monopoly at the top end of Portuguese football, and while trophies remain scarce, their progress in Europe has consistently been a badge of credibility.

With a blend of established names and new recruits, this season carries with it the sense of an opportunity to go deep into the tournament.

The Archbishops’ biggest challenge may not come from their opponents but from within, as European competitions have often exposed Portuguese sides to sudden lapses, and Vicens will know that any complacency could be punished by Lincoln’s willingness to play freely.

Still, the weight of form is firmly behind them, with four wins in their last six across all competitions and no defeats since the latter part of July.

Lincoln Red Imps Europa League form:

D W

Lincoln Red Imps form (all competitions):

W L L D W W

Braga Europa League form:

D W W W

Braga form (all competitions):

D W W W W W

Team News

Lincoln Red Imps enter with a clean bill of health, an encouraging platform on which to build.

They are expected to retain most of the XI that triumphed against Noah in the previous round, although there could be a reshuffle in the forward line with Juanje pushing to replace Victor Villacanas from the start.

Tjay De Barr, who has been the spearhead of their European efforts in recent years, should lead the attack once again.

Braga travel without Jonatas Noro, who is sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury, though otherwise Carlos Vicens has a full squad to choose from.

With no suspensions clouding selection, he can afford to rotate without diluting quality. Pau Victor is likely to keep his place at the tip of the attack after his strong recent performances, which may mean Fran Navarro drops to the bench.

Lincoln Red Imps possible starting lineup:

Santana; Sergeant, Chipolina, Walker, Annesley; Ronan, Hernandez, Munoz; Juanje, De Barr, Kike

Braga possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Lincoln Red Imps 0-3 Braga

The scale of the task is daunting for Lincoln Red Imps, who will hope to frustrate Braga for long periods, but the Portuguese outfit carry too much firepower and are unlikely to be derailed at this stage. The gulf in squad depth and European pedigree should tell.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.