MX23RW : Friday, December 13 22:34:05| >> :120:34208:34208:
[monks data]
Moreirense
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 3
Aug 20, 2021 at 9.15pm UK
Parque Desportivo Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas
Braga

Moreirense
2 - 3
Braga

Vitoria (80' pen.), Paulinho (83')
Ismael Valente Ramos (16'), Jorge (52'), Rosic (90+6'), Lacerda (90+8')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Martins (39'), Medeiros (41'), Horta (90+5')
Oliveira (54'), Horta (90+8')

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

Sports Mole previews Friday's Primeira Liga clash between Moreirense and Braga, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Braga will look to bounce back from a defeat upon their return to league action on Friday, as they make the trip to Moreirense.

Os Arcebispos were handed a 2-1 defeat by defending champions Sporting Lisbon on Saturday, while their hosts picked up a commendable point in a 2-2 draw with Santa Clara.


Match preview

Braga head coach Carlos Carvalhal pictured in December 2020© Reuters

Looking to build on last season's eighth-placed finish, Moreirense kicked off the new campaign with a tough clash at home to title-chasing Benfica, and they would suffer a narrow 2-1 defeat.

Goals from Lucas Verissimo and Luca Waldschmidt saw the visitors take an early two-goal lead, and while Rafael Martins reduced the deficit to one goal on the half-hour mark, Joao Henriques's side were unable to draw level, failing to capitalise on a red card shown to Diogo Goncalves early in the second half.

They looked set to fall to another defeat last time out, as a Carlos goal meant Santa Clara led 1-0 heading into injury time, with Moreirense reduced to 10 men following Rodrigo Conceicao's red card, but a dramatic spell followed.

Yan converted a penalty to draw his side level in the 90th minute, but Carlos hit his second soon after to put Santa Clara back ahead before Os Verdes e Brancos eventually snatched a point thanks to Andre Luis's equaliser in the 10th added minute.

They will look to carry the positives of that late point into Friday's game, when they face a tricky test at home to Braga.

Moreirense players including Mateus Pasinato speak to the referee in January 2021© Reuters

After a positive showing last season, finishing in fourth spot in the top flight and lifting the Taca de Portugal trophy, Braga headed into the new campaign with confidence.

Despite narrowly losing 2-1 to Sporting Lisbon in the Super Cup, they made a winning start to the league season.

Carlos Carvalhal's side made the trip to Maritimo and eventually broke the deadlock through Raul Silva on the hour mark, before Ricardo Horta doubled the lead with 20 minutes to go, seeing them to a 2-0 victory.

They then faced a tough test at home to defending champions Sporting Lisbon in their second league outing, and Jovane Cabral and Pedro Goncalves netted goals quickly either side of half time to give the visitors a comfortable lead.

Carvalhal's men were given hope when their opponents were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes to go, but by the time Abel Ruiz pulled a goal back in injury time, it was too late for Os Arcebispos to find the net again and draw level.

They will now look to bounce back with a victory on their travels to ensure they find themselves at the top end of the division as the table begins to take shape.

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:
  • L
  • D

Moreirense form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • D

Braga Primeira Liga form:
  • W
  • L

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



Team News

Braga's Francisco Moura celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates in November 2020© Reuters

Moreirense come into the game without right-back Rodrigo Conceicao, who will serve a suspension after being sent off in the Santa Clara game.

He only made a substitute appearance in that game, meaning Ruben Ramos should certainly keep his wing-back role, with Lazar Rosic, Artur Jorge and Steven Vitoria forming the back three.

Despite netting the crucial equaliser last time out, Andre Luis may struggle to displace any of the front three, with Henriques expected to stick with the established trio of Yan, Rafael Martins and Felipe Pires.

Braga will be without centre-back David Carmo and midfielder Andre Castro, as the pair continue to battle through injuries.

Meanwhile, forward Ricardo Horta was absent from the squad for the Sporting Lisbon game and could again miss out on Friday, leaving an attacking place up for grabs.

Fabio Martins will be keen to occupy a spot in the attacking line, while summer signing Mario Gonzalez is also pushing to break into the starting XI.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Pasinato; Jorge, Vitoria, Rosic; Ramos, Pacheco, Soares, Frimpong; Yan, Martins, Pires

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus; Oliveira, Silva, Tormena; Fabiano, Musrati, Fransergio, Galeno; Piazon, Ruiz, Martins


SM words green background

We say: Moreirense 1-2 Braga

This is certainly no foregone conclusion, as Moreirense's dangerous front line will certainly pose a threat to Braga, but we see the Archbishops just getting over the line.

After a disappointing defeat last time out, Carvalhal's men will be desperate to bounce back, and their strong squad should have enough to make a quick return to winning ways.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 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.Over 1.5:data



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Written by
Sam Varley

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 58.6%. A draw had a probability of 24.4% and a win for Moreirense had a probability of 17.02%.

The most likely scoreline for a Braga win was 0-1 with a probability of 14.91%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (12.25%) and 1-2 (9.27%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.27%), while for a Moreirense win it was 1-0 (6.86%). The actual scoreline of 2-3 was predicted with a 1.9% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Braga would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Moreirense vs Braga

Moreirense
8.2%
Draw
4.1%
Braga
87.8%
49
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon1311024083233
2Benfica1210113172431
3Porto1310123192231
4Santa ClaraSanta Clara139041612427
5Braga137332213924
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes136341612421
7MoreirenseMoreirense136251918120
8FamalicaoFamalicao134631412218
9Rio AveRio Ave134361323-1015
10Casa Pia133551117-614
11Estoril PraiaEstoril133551219-714
12Gil Vicente133461624-813
13Estrela Amadora133371222-1012
14BoavistaBoavista13256816-811
15AVS132561021-1111
16Nacional12237717-109
17SC FarenseFarense13238719-129
18AroucaArouca13229723-168


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