Arouca vs Sporting Braga Match Analysis and Prediction

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Braga saw their Taca de Portugal campaign come to an end last time out, and they will be looking to return to winning ways when they will be having an encounter with Aroca at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Arouca head into the game without a win in any of their last three games and will be seeking to end this dry spell and move into the top half of the Primeira Liga table.

Arouca are still struggling to keep their form in the league as they were forced to a 1-1 draw against Portimonense at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao two Suturdays ago.

Following a dull first half, the game was triggered to life in the 52nd minute when Brazilian forward A ndre Silva scored to put the visitors ahead before Luquinha came off the bench to force a share of the spolis with a 71st-minute goal.

While Arouca will be looking to end their dryspell, next up are opponents who are unbeaten in each of their last six encounters, claiming three wins and three draws since 2015.

Meanwhile, Braga were forced out of the Taca de Portugal in the last-16 as they were forced to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Vizela last time out.

In a tightly contested match at the Estadio do FC Vizela, where Braga collected two red cards, Vizela took the lead in the opening minutes through Nuno Moreira before putting on a defensive show to keep the visitors at bay.

That was a third defeat in a span of three games for Braga, who have now failed to win in four of their last five outings in all competitions.

After collecting 28 points from 15 games, Braga’s hopes of securing their first-ever league title can be considered effectively over once again.

Arouca vs Sportin Braga head to head

The two teams have previously had 11 encounters in all competitions, where Braga have taken 6 victories while Arouca have 1 and they have drawn 4. Braga have scored 17 goals and conceded 5. In their last five encounters, Braga have won two and they have drawn three.

Sporting Braga 0-0 Arouca 04/10/15

Sporting Braga 2-0 Arouca 13/01/16

Arouca 0-0 Sporting Braga 27/02/16

Arouca 1-1 Sporting Braga 02/10/16

Sporting Braga 3-1 Arouca 04/03/17

Arouca latest home form

Arouca have failed to maintain a steady form at home, as they have won just of their last five games, against Tondela and Boavsta. They lost their last home game 4-1 to Vizela. In their last five, they have scored 8 goals and conceded 9 in the process.

Arouca 2-2 Vitoria Guimaraes 18/09/21

Arouca 1-2 Sporting Lisbon 02/10/21

Arouca 2-0 Tondela 29/10/21

Arouca 2-1 Boavista 27/11/21

Arouca 1-4 Vizela 13/12/21

Arouca latest away form

Arouca have been on a relatively low form on the road, having failed to record any victory in their last nine games. In their last five, they have drawn three and lost two, one loss being in penalty shootouts against Leca after a 1-1 draw in the Taca de Portugal.

Leca (P)1-1 Arouca 17/10/21

Pacos Ferreira 0-0 Arouca 24/10/21

Gil Vicente 1-1 Arouca 05/11/21

Santa Clara 2-1 Arouca 05/12/21

Portimonense 1-1 Arouca 18/12/21

Sporting Braga latest home form

Braga have been on a good run of form at home, having not lost in any of their last ten matches in all competitions. In their last five matches, they have won four and drawn in one, with the draw being 1-1 against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League.

Sporting Braga 6-0 Santa Clara 20/11/21

Sporting Braga 4-1 Vizela 30/11/21

Sporting Braga 2-0 Estoril 05/12/21

Sporting Braga 1-1 Red Star Belgrade 09/12/21

Sporting Braga 1-0 Belenenses 20/12/21

Sporting Braga latest away form

Braga have most recently been on a poor run of form on the road, as they have failed to record any victory in their last five away matches. Their last away victory came when they defeated Gil Vicente 1-0 on October 25. In their last five, they have scored 4 goals and conceded 16 goals.

Benfica 6-1 Sporting Braga 08/11/21

Midtjylland 3-2 Sporting Braga 25/11/21

Porto 1-0 Sporting Braga 12/12/21

Boavista 5-1 Sporting Braga 16/12/21

Vizela 1-0 Sporting Braga 23/12/21

Arouca news

Arouca are heading into this game with several injury concerns, with the midfield duo Pedro Moreira and Moses Yaw continuing their spells on the sidelines.

Goalkeeper Fernando Augusto will miss out after picking an injury back in October, with defender Jose Manuel Velazquea also out of contention with a knee injury.

Sporting Braga news

Braga’s forward Ricardo Horta and midfielder Chiquinho will be forced into isolation after recently testing positive for Covid-19.

David Carmo is also out of contention after fracturing his ankle back in February, with Nuno Sequeira missing after sustaining a knee injury midway through the game against Benfica on November 7.

Prediction and Odds

Braga are heading into the game having recently shown a weak form away from home, but they are unbeaten in each of their last six games against Arouca.

With Arouca coming into the game with several absentees, we could see them fall short here, and the visitors could take a narrow victory.

Odds: 1 3.90 X 2.78 2 1.70