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Moreirense
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 3
Sep 9, 2023 at 6pm UK
Parque Desportivo Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas
Braga

Moreirense
2 - 3
Braga

Luis (40'), Madson (45+1')
de Brito Gonzaga (16'), Ofori (65')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Lopes (27'), Banza (82'), Elmusrati (90+6')
Fonte (32'), Moutinho (55')

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

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

Moreirense and Braga meet in their rescheduled Primeira Liga encounter this Saturday evening.

With the rest of the league off due to the international break, it gives the two clubs the opportunity to catch up on their game in hand.


Match preview

Braga's Andre Castro celebrates scoring their first goal on February 23, 2023© Reuters

The original date was postponed due to Braga commitments in Europe at the end of August, with the league giving them the week off to focus purely on their tie with Panathinaikos.

It worked a treat as Portugal will have three representatives in the Champions League group stages, after Braga won both legs to progress.

It is the club's first involvement in the group stage of UEFA's senior club competition since 2012-13, and just their third overall.

Braga have never made it past the groups though, and they are up against it again, coming in as the outsiders of a section which contains Real Madrid, Napoli and Union Berlin.

On the league front, focusing on their third qualifying round tie with TSC Backa Topola may have been costly for Braga, as despite dispatching the Serbian side easily, they were beaten at home by Famalicao in their league clash which fell in between the two legs.

Artur Jorge's men have recovered from that opening day disappointment though, beating Chaves on the road and holding Sporting Lisbon to a draw last weekend.

Winning their game in hand here would take them into the top six and safe in the knowledge that all the big guns have dropped points already too.

Second-tier champions Moreirense endured a poor start on their return to the top flight.

Moreirense's Joao Camacho in action on August 14, 2023© Reuters

Losing at home to Farense in the first round of the League Cup was an instant low point, and they also failed to score a goal in any of their three pre-season friendlies.

Rui Borges's men also made a losing start in the league, despite taking a shock lead against Porto.

In the final seven games of their title-winning campaign last season, Moreirense took 19 points and scored 25, while also conceding 13.

This time around though, it has been a much different story, as Moreirense's fixtures have been incredibly cagey so far.

A 0-0 draw, which saw them unable to breach a Famalicao side which played the entire second half with 10 men, provided more disappointment, but they finally found their first win last weekend.

Joao Camacho's late winner saw the newly-promoted side see off Chaves 2-1 away from home, meaning that, like Braga, they can also move sixth with a win here, with the two sides level on four points.

Moreirense Primeira Liga form:


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


Braga Primeira Liga form:
  • L
  • W
  • D


Braga form (all competitions):



Team News

Ricardo Horta in action for Braga on October 6, 2022© Reuters

With the game taking place peculiarly during the international break, Braga will be without a number of important first-team players for this one.

Their undisputed talisman Ricardo Horta is away with Portugal, while Abel Ruiz has earned a call-up to the Spanish senior squad, following his form at youth level.

Alvaro Djalo is set to come in up front and has had a fine start, finding the net three times despite starting only twice in all competitions this season.

Rodrigo Zalazar is also away with Uruguay, while full-back Serdar Saatci is on duty with Turkey's Under-21s.

Midfielder Al Musrati is the only injury concern coming into the clash for the visitors.

In contrast, Borges has a full Moreirense squad to choose from, with no injuries, suspensions or international call-ups.

Lawrence Ofori and Ponck were both snubbed once again by Ghana and Cape Verde respectively, so the manager could name an unchanged side following their win last week.

Moreirense possible starting lineup:
Kewin; Fabiano, Maracas, Marcelo, Frimpong; Goncalo Franco, Ofori, Alanzinho; Kodisang, Andre Luis, Joao Camacho

Braga possible starting lineup:
Matheus Lima; Gomez, Jose Fonte, Niakate, Marin; Andre Horta, Vitor Carvalho, Pizzi; Rony Lopes, Djalo, Bruma


SM words green background

We say: Moreirense 1-1 Braga

Braga are likely to suffer without their two key attacking outlets in Horta and Ruiz and may struggle against a Moreirense side who have not given up many goals so far this season.

The hosts still have a full complement of players and will fancy their chances of getting a result against a notably weakened Braga side.


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


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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Game History

How you voted: Moreirense vs Braga

Moreirense
0.0%
Draw
37.5%
Braga
62.5%
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Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring their first goal on August 12, 2023
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon30262287276080
2Benfica30234368244473
3Porto30195655243162
4Braga30195663412262
5Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes30176745321357
6AroucaArouca311361253421145
7MoreirenseMoreirense30127113034-443
8FamalicaoFamalicao30812103338-536
9Gil Vicente3188153950-1132
10Casa Pia3088143043-1332
11SC FarenseFarense3087153944-531
12Rio AveRio Ave3051693238-631
13BoavistaBoavista3079143556-2130
14Estoril PraiaEstoril3086164552-730
15Estrela Amadora30611133246-1429
16PortimonensePortimonense3077163464-3028
17ChavesChaves3058173062-3223
18Vizela3049172962-3321


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