Chaves vs Sporting Braga Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Chaves vs Sporting Braga on and what time does it start? Chaves vs Sporting Braga will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2023 – 18:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Chaves vs Sporting Braga? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Chaves vs Sporting Braga on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Chaves vs Sporting Braga in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
CHAVES
Following promotion in 2022, Chaves performed very well last season in establishing themselves firmly in the middle-of-the-table; even flirting with a top six spot and potential UEFA Europa Conference League qualification. They have this summer, though, lost arguably the key component of their relative success in Vitor Campelos with Campelos joining Gil Vicente.
The home team have replaced Campelos with former Maritimo manager, who was in charge last season when Maritimo were relegated to the second-tier, Jose Gomes. Gomes’ reign started with a deflating 2-0 loss away to Rio Ave, who gained promotion alongside Chaves in 2022, and there will be concerns that this is set to be a difficult campaign of simply battling against the drop.
SPORTING BRAGA
Under the management of Carlos Carvalhal’s former assistant coach Artur Jorge, Sporting Braga enjoyed an impressive season last year, finishing in the top three and earning UEFA Champions League qualification ahead of Sporting CP. The hosts have started this season in excellent form in Europe, too, but actually began with a surprise 2-1 win against an impressive and progressive Famalicao side on the opening day last weekend.
The visitors come into this on the back of being 4-0 up in 20 minutes in Serbia against Backa Topola, eventually winning the match 4-1 and 7-1 on aggregate, in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. However, a still strong team conceded a lead at home to the aforementioned Famalicao, who notched a 95th minute winner via second-half substitute Oscar Aranda.
THE TEAM NEWS
CHAVES
It did not help Jose Gomes that centre-back Bruno Langa was sent off inside 15 minutes of the opening day of the season and he will have to be replaced for this weekend. Gomes is likely to stick with his back three system for the entirety of this campaign, regardless of how results end up going.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Souza; Rodrigues, Nogueira, Vitoria; Sylla, Nwakali, Pedro, Cruz; Sosua, Hector, Paulo Victor
UNAVAILABLE: Langa (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE:
SPORTING BRAGA
Artur Jorge’s innovative and attacking style of football, as shown in the UEFA Champions League, is flexible with their formations with both 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 being used this season. He has no injuries or suspensions for this weekend with a fully available squad.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Matheus; Gomez, Oliveira, Fonte, Borja; Pizzi, Al Musrati, Carvalho; R.Horta, Ruiz, Bruma
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Last season this one would have been quite an entertaining clash with Vitor Campelos’ Chaves keen on attacking and getting at their opposition. However, now that they have lost Campelos and replaced him with someone who is unlikely to inspire supporters, it is does appear to be a little one sided and Braga, albeit starting poorly against a Famalicao side that could well be a fun watch this season, will expect to bounce back ahead of their UEFA Champions League playoff tie with Panathinaikos in midweek.
TIP: BRAGA TO WIN
