Preview: SC Farense vs. Braga - prediction, team news, lineups

SC Farense welcome Braga to the Estadio de Sao Luis on Monday, in a crucial game at both ends of the Primeira Liga table.

A win before the international break lifted the hosts out of the bottom three, while Braga dropped out of the top three after a loss to Benfica.

Match preview

© Reuters

Farense picked up a crucial victory over fellow strugglers Boavista last time out, as Lica netted the only goal of the game after 25 minutes.

That put an end to a five-game winless run for Os Leoes de Faro, which saw them drop to the foot of the table.

As a result of that win, Jorge Costa's side jumped off the foot of the division, moving up to 15th spot, ahead of Boavista, Maritimo and Nacional who all sit on 21 points.

Costa will now feel that his side need to build on that recent victory, as the gap between themselves and the bottom three stands at just one point, meaning they could be quickly dragged back into the drop zone if results do not go their way.

Getting a result will be a tough task on Monday though, as they welcome a strong Braga side who will be looking to break back into the top three with a win.

© Reuters

Carlos Carvalhal's side lost a crucial clash against Benfica before the international break, as Rafa Silva opened the scoring on the stroke of half time before Haris Seferovic doubled the lead to seal a 2-0 victory.

That saw As Aguias leapfrog Braga in the table, meaning Carvalhal's men now sit in fourth spot with 10 league games left to play this season.

Before that disappointing defeat, Os Arcebispos dropped points in a 2-2 draw with strugglers Famalicao, as Heriberto Tavares netted a late equaliser for Fama after Ricardo Horta and Ali Musrati had given Braga the lead.

Carvalhal will now be tasked with reversing the fortunes of the Archbishops, after two costly results in their bid to finish in the top three, and he will be desperate to put three points on the board on Monday to pile the pressure on Benfica.

Team News

© Reuters

Farense should come into this game with a fairly full squad to pick from, with winger Madi Queta the only expected absentee through injury.

For the second consecutive season, Farense's attack has been spearheaded by Ryan Gauld, who has registered seven goals and four assists in 23 league appearances this campaign after firing them to second place in the Segunda Liga last season.

He will be supported by the wide threat of Lica, who netted his second goal of the season in the 1-0 win over Boavista.

In that game, veteran goalkeeper Beto was favoured over Hugo Marques, and he should keep his spot after securing a clean sheet.

Braga will come into this game without midfielder Fransergio, who will serve a suspension after he was shown a red card in the defeat to Benfica.

Meanwhile, Carvalhal still has a long injury list to deal with, as winger Iuri Medeiros and centre-midfielder Andre Castro both remain out of action.

Their back line has also taken a hit, as centre-backs David Carmo, Rolando and Raul Silva all remain out.

SC Farense possible starting lineup:

Beto; Tavares, Mancha, Cesar, Nunes; Oudrhiri, Lucca; Lica, Gauld, Mansilla; Henrique

Braga possible starting lineup:

Matheus; Esgaio, Tormena, Rodrigues, Borja; Piazon, Elmusrati, Gaitan, Galeno; Ruiz, Horta

We say: SC Farense 1-2 Braga

Despite two concerning results, and a squad hit by injuries, we would still expect Carvalhal's men to get over the line on Monday thanks to their superior quality.

While we do not see them easing past a Farense side who will be battling hard for a result, Os Arcebispos should still come away with three crucial points.