Sporting Braga are on a two-match win streak against Vitoria Guimaraes in all competitions. On Monday night, the two sides will meet for the third time this season in all competitions.
Braga claimed a 1-0 Primeira Liga win earlier this season at home before winning 3-2 at home in the Portuguese Cup. Sporting Braga go into round 22 in third place in the league and seven points off first-place Benfica.
The Bishops aren’t thinking about an unlikely title win, however. Braga’s focus is on staying in the top three ahead of fourth-place Sporting Lisbon. The teams are separated by eight points.
Vitoria Guimaraes are fifth in the Primeira Standings. The Conquistadores are unbeaten in four straight matches in the league but are 15 points off third-place Braga.
Vitoria took picked up 10 points from the last 18 points on offer. They only scored five goals, however. The defence conceded a mere four times.
Sporting Braga took 15 points from the last 18 points on offer. They outscored their last six opponents 11-8. Braga are on a three-match winning streak in the Primeira.
The Bishops are the Primeira’s top away team this season, with 27 points from 11 matches. Twenty-seven of their 49 total points have come from the road. Five of Braga’s last six away games were wins.
Vitoria Guimaraes have a record of 7W-2D-2L at home this season with 12 goals for and seven against Guimaraes are not a high-scoring team. They only scored 19 goals in 21 league matches, while conceding 20 times.
Braga have scored the league’s third-most goals with 47. Only Benfica and FC Porto have scored more goals. In addition, the Bishops have allowed the third-fewest goals with 20.
Manager Artur Jorge doesn’t have any fresh injuries at Braga ahead of Monday’s match. Simon Banza leads Braga in goals with nine in the league. Ricardo Horta has eight Primeira goals for Braga.
Vitoria Guimaraes’ Ze Carlos is a major doubt to play following a foot injury. Tomas Handel could miss the game with a muscle problem. The team’s goalscoring troubles mean leading scorer Tiago Silva has just three goals. Anderson Silva also has three goals.
Braga are in great form heading into the match. The Bishops have won twice already this season against Vitoria and should post a third straight win against the Conquistadores. It should be a close game, with Braga winning 2-1 at full-time.