Moreirense vs Sporting Braga Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Moreirense vs Sporting Braga on and what time does it start? Moreirense vs Sporting Braga will take place on Saturday 26th August, 2023 – 18:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Moreirense vs Sporting Braga? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Moreirense 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 Moreirense 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
MOREIRENSE
Following promotion last season, Moreiresense, like Farense, will be hoping to emulate the likes of Chaves, Casa Pia and Rio Ave who have recently gained promotion and then comfortably survived back in the top-flight. Moreirense, though, do defy normal modern day Portuguese footballing convention as they seek to play a front foot and progressive, more attractive style of football than is the norm.
They started the season with an impressive display against the giants, Porto, but ended up suffering a 2-1 defeat in that opening day clash, despite taking a second-half lead. Moreirense followed that up with a creditable draw away to a similarly progressive Famalicao side, albeit the match between two of Portugal’s more front foot sides finished goalless. After that they defeated a very poor Chaves side by two goals to one away from home.
SPORTING BRAGA
Under the management of former Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City boss Carlos Carvalhal, Braga entertained and delighted with innovative football ideas. However, when Artur Jorge took over last summer, things have improved even more, finishing third in the table and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
They come into this on the back of a 2-1 win over Panathinaikos in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff round tie. That does mean they head to Athens with the tie in the balance so they could well end up rotating and messing up in the Primeira Liga; as they did on the opening day of the season as they lost to Famalicao at home by two goals to one on the opening day of the campaign. They did share a 1-1 draw with Sporting CP last weekend.
THE TEAM NEWS
MOREIRENSE
Under the impressive management of Paulo Alves, Moreirense are likely to keep an unchanged line-up for this weekend, especially with no fresh injury concerns, despite collecting just a point from their opening two matches.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Kewin; Pinto, Marcelo, Maracas, Frimpong; Franco, Ofori; Kodisang, Alan, Camacho; Luis
UNAVAILABLE: Pinto (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
SPORTING BRAGA
Artur Jorge, as mentioned, will name their strongest possible eleven for this weekend with no injuries, suspensions or international call-ups and no midweek football either.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Matheus; Gomez, Fonte, Oliveira, Marin; Al-Musrati, Castro; R.Horta, A.Horta, Bruma; Ruiz
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Moreirense, despite having only just returned to the Primeira Liga, may well be a little frustrated to have notched just one goal in their opening two matches. They will take inspiration from both Famalicao and Chaves to have put two goals past Sporting Braga – even Backa Topola and Panathinaikos have scored against the visitors in Europe, too. Braga remain a fun team, notching 14 goals in their first five games across all competitions, and remain favourites for what should and could well be a high-scoring affair.
TIP: SPORTING BRAGA TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
