Preview: Braga vs Sporting Lisbon – prediction, team news, lineups

Fresh from dismantling Manchester City in the Champions League, Sporting Lisbon will be used again in the Primeira Liga during their visit Braga on Sunday.

With his move to Manchester United imminent, Reuben Amorim will be in the Leoes' dugout for the last time this weekend as they look to secure their first win at the Estadio Braga Municipal since August 2021.

Game preview

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Braga continues to struggle for results in the Europa League as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Swedish side Elfsborg when the two teams met at the Boras Arena on Thursday.

After a goalless first half, the guests were rewarded for their dominance in the 66th minute Timothy Ouma scored an own goal but was substituted on Emil Holten Six minutes before the end of the game he struck to secure part of the loot.

Since starting the European Cup season with a 2-1 win over 10-man Maccabi Tel Aviv on September 26, Braga has failed to win the following three games, losing two games in a row against Olympiacos and Bodo/Glimt before Thursday's defeat a stalemate came about.

Before the midweek draw, Braga were on a run of three consecutive wins, beating Farense and Arouca in the Primeira Liga. In the quarterfinals of the Taca da Liga, the team won 2-1 against Vitoria de Guimaraes, sandwiched between the two league games.

Carlos Carvalhal's men who are currently 26th the Europa League tablenow return to the league where they have won four of their last five games – with a 2-1 defeat against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on October 6 being the exception.

Finishing fourth last season, Braga has made a solid start to the league season, picking up six wins and two draws from their first ten games, collecting 20 points and sitting in fourth place in the tabletwo points behind third-placed Benfica.

Next up for Os Arcebispos is the challenge of a Sporting Lisbon side who are unbeaten in 14 of the last 20 meetings between the two sides in all competitions and have won 11 and drawn three since September 2008.

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As the Manchester United fans watched and paid attention, Ruben Amorim passed the ball Pep Guardiola Test with flying colors as Sporting Lisbon beat Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

After falling behind Phil Fodenis the early start, Viktor Gyokeres took matters into his own hands at the Estadio Jose Alvalade as he scored a hat-trick, defeated the English champions and made a name for himself as one of Europe's best marksmen.

Sporting Lisbon is one of only six teams yet to suffer a defeat in the Champions League this season. In the first four games, they got three wins and one draw, collected 10 points and finished in second place in the overall rankingjust two points behind Liverpool.

Tuesday's victory was in line with the solid work done at home, where Sporting Lisbon is the only team to boast a 100 percent record this season. They have won each of their ten games in the Primeira Liga, scoring 35 goals and keeping seven clean sheets.

Since the new season opened with a 4-3 extra-time defeat to rivals Porto in the Portuguese Super Cup on August 3, Amorim's side have won all but one of their 16 games in all competitions, drawing 1-1 against the Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven is an exception on October 1st.

Sporting, which is three points ahead of Porto at the top of the Primeira Liga, has secured its place in the semi-finals of the Taca da Liga, while it reached the fourth round with a 2-1 win against Portimonense on October 18 of the Taca de Portugal.

Braga Primeira Liga form:

Braga form (all competitions):

Form of Sporting Lisbon Primeira Liga:

Form of Sporting Lisbon (all competitions):

Team news

© Imago

Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar missed the game against Elfsborg on Thursday due to a muscle injury and the 25-year-old is a big doubt for Sunday's game.

Having recently recovered from a muscle injury, Robson Bamboo was an unused substitute during the week and the Brazilian defender could make his first appearance since August 29 on Sunday.

With Amorim set to be unveiled as Manchester United's new head coach on November 5, the 39-year-old will look to mark his departure from Sporting Lisbon and say goodbye in style.

With his hat-trick against Manchester City, Gyokeres now has 21 goals and three assists in 17 games this season and the Sweden international will certainly be one to keep an eye on.

As for the injuries, Goncalo Inacio missed the midweek game against Manchester City after suffering a hamstring injury against Estrela Amadora on November 1, and the 23-year-old is also out of action for the Leoes.

In addition to him, the Portuguese striker is also on the club's injury list Nuno Santoswho is expected to miss his fourth straight game after suffering a ligament injury in October.

Possible Braga starting lineup:
Lima; Oliveira, Ferreira, Bambu, Ribeiro; Horta, Carvalho; Bruma, Moutinho, Fernandes; El Ouazzani

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:
Israel; Diomande, Debast, Quaresma; Quenda, Hjulmand, Braganca, Araujo; Trincao, Goncalves, Gyokeres

We say: Braga 1-3 Sporting Lisbon

While Braga will look to secure their seventh league win and spoil Amorim's farewell, Sporting Lisbon have the firepower to get the job done and we expect them to celebrate their 100th with another dominant performance at the Estadio Braga Municipal -percentage Primeira Liga record.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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