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

Second-tier minnows Nacional will resume their fairytale Taca de Portugal campaign when Braga travel to Madeira for the first leg of their semi-final showdown on Wednesday.

While Nacional find themselves fourth from bottom in Portugal's second division, high-flying Braga occupy third place in the Primeira Liga table.

Match preview

© Reuters

It would not be unfair to say that Nacional's impressive run in the Taca de Portugal has masked the team's struggles in the league, with the Alvinegros in real danger of dropping into the third tier.

Nacional recorded a third successive league defeat without scoring last time out, suffering a 3-0 loss to UD Oliveirense, with a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Vilafranquense preceding that defeat.

When you look at the bigger picture, Filipe Candido's side have only managed to win seven of their 27 league games this season, recording seven draws and 13 losses along the way.

Still, it is worth remembering that Nacional have notched five consecutive wins to reach the Taca de Portugal semi-finals, including a memorable 5-2 victory over top-flight club Casa Pia in the previous round.

Although Nacional have taken just eight points from a possible 24 since defeating Casa Pia – conceding 16 goals across eight league outings in the process – Candido's men are expected to rise to the occasion on Wednesday.

© Reuters

Braga head into the first leg on the back of a dominant 4-1 victory over Estoril Praia, meaning that Artur Jorge's men have won four of their last five Primeira Liga matches.

If it were not for Benfica's brilliance – and Porto's consistency – Braga would almost certainly find themselves in a title race this season, having won 20 of their 27 league outings in 2022-23.

However, with Os Arsenalistas sitting nine points behind table-topping Benfica with seven games remaining, the Taca de Portugal is undoubtedly their best chance of silverware this term.

Indeed, Braga have already eliminated Benfica from this season's competition, as Jorge's men secured a dramatic penalty-shootout victory over the Eagles to book their place in the last four.

Braga also came from two goals down to beat Vitoria de Guimaraes 3-2 in the round-of-16, thanks largely to a last-gasp Abel Ruiz brace, so the top-flight outfit will be confident of overcoming Nacional.

Team News

© Reuters

Having chalked up five goals and four assists across all competitions this season, Nacional playmaker Luis Esteves will aim to add to his quarter-final brace against Casa Pia.

Bruno Gomes, Vladan Danilovic and Dudu have also scored twice in the Taca de Portugal this term, with the latter expected to operate as the hosts' lone striker on Wednesday.

As for Braga, Abel Ruiz will continue to lead the line after scoring his 10th goal of the campaign last time out, while club captain Ricardo Horta is expected to operate behind the striker.

Horta has registered 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions this season, while Simon Banza – who was left on the bench last time out – has notched 11 goals and seven assists.

At the opposite end of the pitch, goalkeeper Matheus should keep his place between the sticks, with Vitor Tormena and Sikou Niakate occupying the centre-back roles.

Nacional possible starting lineup:

Encarnacao; Clayton, Gomes, Rafael, Aurelio; Ramos, Danilovic; Gomes, Esteves, Macedo; Dudu

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Gomez, Tormena, Niakate, Borja; Al-Musrati, Horta; Medeiros, Horta, Banza; Ruiz

We say: Nacional 0-2 Braga

Having conceded nine goals without scoring across their last three matches, Nacional look destined to struggle against Braga, who should secure a fifth victory in six outings to put one foot in the Taca de Portugal final.

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